Captain Antoni Selin and His Association With The Independent Corps of Captain John Paul Schott, Major Nicholas de Ottendorf and Col. Charles Armand

A Chronology of the
Appointments & Commands

of
Captain Antoni Selin
and His Association with
the Independent Corps of
Captain John Paul Schott,
Major Nicholas de Ottendorf and
Col. Charles Armand
and their Affiliated Units and Officers
During the Revolutionary War.
A compilation of information with annotations and

observations
by
Jim W. Filipski
&
Steve Collward
1
Introduction
In our research into the military career of Captain Antoni Selin a number of people
stand out by association with him that help shape the time period of his service in the
Continental Army. Some of the associations being positive and others negative, we try to piece
them all together here by using only contemporary sources from the time he saw service in
America.
In our attempt to document the company or companies commanded by Captain Antoni
Selin throughout the American War of Independence we are faced with a complicated and at
times, confusing amount of data that has survived over the years.
We found that it was virtually impossible to document his commands without doing
associated research of people that were directly affiliated with him during this time. Thus a
good portion of the research has also to deal with Major Ottendorf, to whose Corps he was
apparently first attached, followed by Charles Armand who was appointed commander of
Ottendorfs Corps following the disappearance of Ottendorf. Later to be affiliated or under
command of Armand during the founding of Armands own independent Corps of Cavalry
and Chaseussers.
Again this chronology of events represents our findings which were taken primarily
from contemporary documents, records and personal letters. We felt this was the only way to
cut through some of the puzzling and at times contradictory information that has been
presented by some of the previous researchers of the past.
Captain Selins affiliation with Captain John Paul Schott appears to be more complex
than what previous documentation has found. From the new research it appears that Schott
was in command of his own Independent Company before the formation of Ottendorfs Corp.
Capt. Selin upon Ottendorffs Corps formation was placed in command of Company No. 2.
Supposedly Schott was in command of Company No. 3. But the newest documentation seems
to show that Schott, with his own Independent Company, may have been attached to
Ottendorf's Corps later, about the time Washington ordered Armand to take Command of
Ottendorfs Corps.
In some of the existing records, we have found mistakes and some suppositions that
can lead to errors for future researchers. The one most prominent error is that of
Fitzpatrick in the Varrick transcripts of the Letters of George Washington. In his notations
there are constant references to Selin as belonging to Moses Hazens 2nd Canadian Regiment
even in transcripts whose dates are before his attachment to Hazens Regiment. He was with
them near the end of the Revolution, 1781 to 1784, but many times when Selin is mentioned
earlier in the transcripts this notation is made, leading the uninitiated to believe that is where
he had his command during the war. We also noted that some officers and men in Captain
Selins Company during the early war have similar erroneous footnotes. This affiliation with
Hazens Regiment occurred from 1781 to 1784 so the first 4 years of his service to the United
States is ignored. In the national archives there is a list of the soldiers that served with Captain
Selin apparently during the attachment with Hazen. After reviewing this I feel that this was
compiled at a later date after the war because this list shows the soldiers that were attached to
Selin during the entire war. This list is still a puzzle to me and could be the reason that it was
taken for granted that Captain Selin was always with the 2nd Canadian Regt. If this be the
2
case, then the mistakes were made because of limited research by earlier authors.
Great care must be taken when researching documentation to weed out these latter day
induced errors. Many texts which are considered noteworthy contain errors when additional
new researchers probe deeper into first hand accounts.
For instance; Boatners Encyclopedia of the American Revolution for one, contains
errors when it comes to Charles Armand; some of the sources appear flawed. His quoted text
of Lasseray and Heitman appear to have errors or have been mistranslated after researching
Armands personal letters to Washington and others during this time period. Placing Armand
with Pulaskis Legion in May of 1777 is incorrect.
Those who are also interested in the Military careers of John Paul Schott as well as
Charles Armand may also find this manuscript helpful. I also feel it will be a help for those
researching some of the lesser known officers associated with these units. I feel comfortable
knowing that what we present in this paper, is an accurate account of what was taking place in
this time period. Of course there are some of our own personal comments ( based on the facts)
that may or may not be fully correct. These are listed separately so they are not confused with
the contemporary documentation.
Have we found the answers? Well, some, but I feel the new research has opened new
questions and new avenues of research possibilities. Sometimes a small piece of evidence can
change a whole way of thinking. I feel we will be updating this information from time to time.
J.W.Filipski Jan. 19, 2003
(with revision March 2005)
Special Thanks
We graciously offer a word of special thanks to: Steve Gilbert, Bob McDonald, John K.
Robertson, John Rees and Thaddeus Weaver for their assistance and comments and just being
there to listen and provide guidance. They are without a doubt, some of the finest modern
researchers of the American War of Independnce.
3
Preface
What we now know of Antoni Selins military service in the American army during the
American War for Independence:
Antoni Selin was most likely the first officer to be recruited and commissioned in
Ottendorfs Corps. John Paul Schott had an earlier commission date but not with Ottendorfs
Corps. It is quite possible that Ottendorf and Selin were friends or acquaintances before the
Corps was formed because both Ottendorf and Selin petitioned Congress for money to raise
Ottendorfs Corps. These funds were charged to Ottendorfs account. We have found no other
mention of any additional officers of this Corps requesting such. Most likely Selins Company
was in Bound Brook, NJ by April 10th 1777, possibly because his Company of Ottendorffs
Corps was fully recruited by then. By June 1777, with the Corps in New Jersey, Ottendorf has
disappeared and Charles Armand is given the command of Ottendorfs Corps.
After the Battle of Short Hills, June 1777, many of the Corps had been killed, captured
or missing. Schotts and Bauers Companies seem to have received the worst, with. Schott
being taken prisoner. July 1777 shows many deserters being brought in from Ottendorfs
Corps with Armand commanding. It is quite possible after this Armand distances himself
from much of this original Corps foot, concentrating on its mounted component for which
he began to recruit. Captain Selin it appears, commands what is now left of the Foot portion
of the Late Ottendorfs Corps in Armands absences. This appears to be the case throughout
the rest of 1777 and much of 1778. Armand was recruiting heavily, especially in New England
in the Spring and Summer of 1778 and appears to be absent from the Foot portion of the
Corps.
In August 1778, it was almost like Captain Selin has no idea of the status of Charles
Armand, as well as Ottendorf , when he filed a report on the officers of the Corps which he
was now commanding. Schott reappears on the scene in the late Fall of 1778 and the joint
command of Capts. Selin & Schott begins. So does the controversy of point of rank between
them and Charles Armands newly commissioned officers. It appears that some major quarrels
arise. They are split from Armands Corps. Selin and Schott are sent to the Minisink region of
New York along with Armands and Pulaskis Corps.
Selin and Schott now spend the winter of 1778-79 in this region commanding small
frontier forts. They remain there until they are ordered to the Wyoming Valley in the Spring of
1779 to prepare for the Sullivan-Clinton Campaign.General Washington sends Captain Schott
to Philadelphia for supplies for the Corps while Captain Selin marches the Corps into
Wyoming. In June of 1779 Captain Selin is commanding a detachment whos job is to bring
boats & supplies up the Susquehanna to Wyoming. We feel that Captain Schott leaves the
Sullivan campaign sometime early into the march and Captain Selin is in command of
Schotts Corps(It is quite possible that Schott, after leaving the campaign possibly due to
illness or injury returns to Wyoming where he becomes familiar with Naomi Sill whom he
marries the following year). At this point we see references to Captain Selins Independent
Rifle Company.
Captain Selin also commanded a group of pioneers during the expedition that were
somewhat instrumental in the discovery of the ambush that was being laid at Newtown, NY.
4
These pioneers were working with the cover of the riflemen on the front lines.
After the end of this campaign they return and take up posts in Wyoming to help
protect this frontier settlement. Apparently a dispute in rank erupts again. This time it is
between Captains Selin and Schott.
In 1781 Captain Selin and his men are reassigned to Moses Hazens 2nd Canadian
Regiment. Here he stays until the end of hostilities. Antoni Selin is discharged with the rank
of Major.
The information that is presented here is documented and in a chronological form and
we have included references or reference footnotes to back up the materials. We have also
interjected some questions, opinions and comments along the way which at the time we felt
necessary. The names of the people of concern have varied spellings which is common during
the time period and most times we continue its use for historical accuracy. There are notable
misspellings to be found in the original quotes, which we did not correct to preserve their
validity.
Annotation Notes:
All black text body copy signifies stated facts, quotes and contemporary materials. In
the situation in which the original text was unable to be transcribed we inserted a blank space.
If the text was difficult to transcribe or questionable we inserted the closest approximation
followed by a ? mark.
Red text signifies links to associated footnotes and references.
Authors comments, questions, speculations, observations and opinions appear in italic brown text.
Original Fitzpatrick notation appears in blue within the main text.
Common Abbreviations used:

(GWP)............George Washington Papers - Letters of George Washington, at the Library of
Congress Electronic Digital Archives
To address any comments to the authors, they may be reached by e-mail

jwfilips@aol.com
or
sdcol@computer-connection.net
5
1776
On September 6, 1776 in Congress we find:
The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved , That John Paul Schott , who is well recommended as an experienced officer, be
appointed a captain in the continental army, with directions to raise a company as soon as
possible; but, that as he may be usefully employed immediately, that he be forthwith sent to
General Washington at New York, and that one month's pay be advanced to him.1
November 8, 1776 Ottendorf is appointed.

In Congress;
Resolved , That Mynheer N. D. Ottendorf be appointed a brevet captain in the service of the
United States.
The next day in Congress we read:
Resolved , That two months' pay be advanced to Captain Ottendorf ; and that he be ordered
to repair to head quarters, near White Plains, and put himself under the command of General
Washington.2
On December 5th, 1776 Congress Resolves Ottendorf to form the Independent

Companies of the Corps which he will head. In Congress; Resolved , That Captain Ottendorf
be directed to raise an independent company, to be composed of 150 privates, serjeants and
corporals included:
That it be divided as follows:
The first company of 60 men, light infantry, one captain and two lieutenants; two companies
of hunters, 45 privates each, to be commanded each by a captain and two lieutenants:
That Captain Ottendorf have the rank of major, that he be captain of the light infantry
company, and command the whole.
That an adjutant be appointed for this corps, who is to act as quarter master and pay master,
with the rank of lieutenant, and pay of other adjutants.3 (Ottendorf is elevated to a rank of Major
but he is Captain of the light infantry company and commands the whole Corps.?)( The term
hunters we feel, is most likely used in the context of jaeger or rifleman, since we know they were a
rifle company)
On December 10, 1776 Continental Congress resolved that: Antonie Seelim (Selin )
be appointed a captain of a riffle (rifle) Company in the Corps commanded by Major
Ottendorf. 4
6
A soldier belonging to one of the Independent Rifle Companies raised in 1775. Selins men
would have been similarly dressed and equipped, though without the painted face, worn
by the 1775 riflemen to intimidate their opponents.
(Painting by Don Troiani, www.historicalimagebank.com )
7
The Commission of Antoni Selin
December 10, 1776
In CONGRESS
The DELEGATES of the UNITED STATES of New-Hamphire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode-

Island, Connecticut, New-York, Pennsylvania, Deleware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina,
South- Carolina, and Georgia, TO
Antonie Selim, Esquire
We, reposing special Trust and Confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, and Fidelity, DO, by
these presents, constitute and appoint you to be Captain of the Company commanded by Major
Ottendorff
in the Army of the United States, raised for the Defence of American Liberty, and for repelling
every hostile invasion thereof. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty
of Captain.... by doing and performing all manner of Things thereunto belonging. And we do
strictly charge and require all Officers and Soldiers under your Command, to be obedient to
your orders as Captain, And you are to observe and follow such Orders and Directions from
Time to Time, as you shall receive from this or a future Congress of the United States, or
Committee of Congress, for that purpose appointed, or Commander in Chief for the Time
being of the Army of the United States, or any other your superior Officer, according to the
Rules and Discipline of War, In Pursuance of the Trust reposed in you.
This Commission to continue in Force until revoked by this or future Congress.
Dated at Philadelphia December 10th, 1776

By Order of the Congress,
John Hancock, President
Attest. Chas. Thomson, Secy.
8
1777
January 31, 1777 Washington writes to Capt. Schott with the following order: Sir: You
have herewith your recruiting Instructions, and Warrant to draw Money to begin with. You
have Liberty to Nominate your Subaltern Officers, in doing which you cannot be too
particular as your own Reputations and the good of the Service in a great measure depend
upon this Choice, should it happen that upon seeing them I think them Incapable of filing the
Posts to which they are nominatd with honour, I shall not think myself bound to confirm your
Choice. Fix upon some place contiguous to where you expect to raise the greatest number of
men for your Rendezvous, and let me know from time to time how you proceed and when
there is a probability of your Company being Complete. I need not mention the necessity
there is of putting your Men under Training duty as fast as they are raisd, by which they will
be capable of rendering immediate Service when calld into the Field. Wishing you Success I
am etc.1
By the Spring of 1777 the Companies are complete.

Selins company is complete with fifers and drummers which are also only evident in
Ottendorfs own company and are missing from Company 3 & 4.
Selin has Company 2 and Schott has Company 3. In a letter to George Washington on March
24, 1777, Schott writes to ask him for money, arms and plankits ( blankets?) . He also states that
he has 25 men to pay and if I gets the Plankits I will put them in the barracks at Lancaster.
(This does not sound like he has command of Company 3 of de Ottendorfs Corps at this time.) In an
entry of the Journals of the Continental Congress of May 3, 1777 there states Resolved , That
Christian Mankey receive a commission as first lieutenant, and George Shoffner a commission
as a second lieutenant, in Captain John Paul Schott's independent company; and that the said
commissions bear date the 4th February last, the time they were appointed to act by the
captain, in consequence of orders from General Washington. And, Resolved , That Christian
Frolock be appointed a second lieutenant in Captain Selim's company, of Major Ottendorf's
corps. ( also see notes 2,3,&4)
February 14, 1777 In Congress: Resolved, That 500 dollars be advanced to Captain
Antoine Selin, towards raising Major Ottendorf's corps, and that the same charged to the
account of the said Major Ottendorf. (Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789)
February 22, 1777 In Congress: Resolved, That Jost Triesback be appointed a captain,
and Charles Merckle a lieutenant, in Major Ottendorff's corps.(Journals of the Continental
Congress, 1774-1789)
March 19, 1777 That John Schrop be appointed second lieutenant, and Bartholomew
Van Heer, adjutant, in the corps commanded by Major Ottendorf.(Journals of Continental
Congress 1774-1789)
April 9,1777 That Jacob Bauer be appointed a captain and Lawerence Meyer a first
9
Lieutenant, in the corps commanded byMajor Ottendorf.
(Journals of Continental Congress 1774-1789)
April 4, 1777 From George Washingtons General Orders: The detachments,

commanded by Capts. O'Hara, Bicker, Talbot and Selin, to hold themselves in readiness (with
two days provision) to march tomorrow morning. They will receive their orders from Major
Genl. St. Clair. (GWP) (This would be the first deployment of Selins Company that we have located. It
is possible that it was the first Company of Ottendorfs to be fully recruited since Ottendorf continues to
recruit through May of 1777)
According to Captain Johann Ewalds Journal, by April 10th 1777 We learned that a
French major, Mr. von Ottendorff had arrived with a newly organized corps consisting of
Germans and Frenchmen for the reinforcement of the post at Bound Brook. On April 11th
this hero tried his luck against us. He attacked my post at daybreak, and I was forced to
withdraw across a small ravine. At ten oclock in the morning he came again, but since
Captain Wreden came to my aid at once, he was driven back with losses and we escorted him
up to the enemy outposts. But since he had firmly resolved to dislodge me today, he
reappeared for the third time at three oclock in the afternoon. Ewald continues his encouters
with Ottendorffs Corps in the area of Bound Brook and seems to get the upper hand: Since
the 18th of April, Mr. von Ottendorff had prowled about at night in the ravines across the
river and had fired on our posts, through which several sentries werre killed and wounded.
The enemy had also hidden several times in the barn of the preacher across the river and fired
on my quarters through holes cut in the barn walls.
Therefore I decided to draw these guests into an ambuscade. On the 20th., several
hours before daybreak, I put an amusette behind a false hedge which I had fashioned from
bushes, placing it so that the barn could be pierced easily. I sent Lieutenant Trautvetter with
twelve jagers to a small hollow on this side of the river across from the parsonage, with orders
to keep hidden until the Americans were dislodged from the barn by the fire of the amusette.
Then they were to rise and accompany the piece with sharp rifle fire. All went well. As soon
as day broke, the riflemen began their harassing with their long rifles. After the third cannon
shot, the barn became silent and the enemy left it, whereupon he fell into the jagers fire. Since
the road ran up along the river, which was not over a hundred paces wide, the jagers had the
best possible range, and every jager killed or wounded his man.
After several hours an officer with a trumpeter appeared and requested permission to
take away the dead and severely wounded on a wagon. I permitted this and asked the officer
if he would not visit us again soon. He shook his head, and they took away their dead and
wounded on two wagons. There were five dead and two badly wounded. (Capt. Johann
Ewald, Diary of the American War A Hessian Journal, translated and edited by Joseph P.
Tustin, Yale Univ. Press)
(This quite possibly could have been Captain Selin instead of Ottendorf for a few reasons; Captain
Selins Company was deployed on April 5 based on General Orders in the previous entry. He was
Swiss-French, and most likely spoke French (all his personal correspondence in our archives is written
in French). Ottendorf was Prussian and also it appears that he was petitioning Congress for addl funds
for raising his Corps during this time. J.W.F.)
April 29, 1777
10
Resolved, That one thousand dollars be advanced to Major Ottendorf, for recruiting his corps
of rangers; and that he be directed, forthwith, to produce a certificate from the commissary
general of musters, or deputy muster master general in this department, of the number of
soldiers inlisted into his respective companies. Also Resolved, That Baron Ernst Siegsmond
be appointed first lieutenant, and John Conrad Latour, second lieutenant, in the corps
commanded by Major Ottendorff(Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789)
On May 10, 1777 In the Continental Congress we find;

That there should be advanced to Major Ottendorf, for the use of his corps, the sum of 500
dollars; he to be accountable: Also Resolved, That Mons. Armand have a commission, with
the rank and pay of a major or colonel, and that he be directed to repair to General
Washington.(Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789)
May 19th 1777 Washington favors Armand to form a Partisan corps; If he couldnt fill
the Corps he was to be able to recruit from existing Regiments all French Officers that would
want to serve under him. 5
June 11th 1777 Armand is ordered to take command of Ottendorffs Corps.

In a letter Washington writes to Armand June 11, 1777 Sir: You are forthwith to take
upon you the command of the Corps heretofore under Major Ottendorf and to do all the
duties thereof as commanding Officer, according to the rules and regulations established for
the government of the Continental Army and according to the usages of War. You will
therefore endeavour, by attentive observation and inquiry, to make yourself acquainted with
every kind of duty practiced in the Army, with the resolutions of Congress, the Articles of
War, and all general orders and conform punctually to them. You are permitted to use your
endeavours to complete your Corps to a full Regiment; the necessary Officers will be
appointed, in proportion to the progress you make and the number of Men you collect. For the
present you are to be under the immediate command of Major General Lincoln and to obey all
his orders. (GWP)
( Somewhere in the period of mid May to mid June 1777 Ottendorf leaves and /or deserts and goes
back to Europe)
(At this point it is not evident if Armand has a group prior to this command. It seems as if this is a
new command and was called the late Ottendorfs Corps and / or after Armand added additional
companies to it, it became Armands Partisan Corps or what could be called the Old Armands
Corps but not Armands Legion which was not formed until later in 1780). 6
11
The only known detailed map of the Battle of Short Hills by Liet, Friedrich von Wagenheim
of the Hessian Jaeger Corps, a German with French training in Cartography, Showing the
Avante Garde des Riflemen dOttendorff on two hills straddling the road a short distance in
advance of the main Corps du Genl Stirling Wagenhiem Plan de lAffaire de Westfield,
1777 . Lib of Cong Card # G 3813.E7S3 1777.W3 Faden 75.
12
The Battle of Short Hills
(The following are excerpts from Frederic C. Detwiller's "War in the Countryside, the Battle and
Plunder of the Short Hills, New Jersey, June 1777." They are included here because of the number of
first hand accounts cited. June 26th, 1777)
The Fight for the American Cannon
Much of the conflict centered around the American cannon since, "in the course of the
battle four field pieces were taken from Lord Sterling, again retaken, and finally lost." 1
One observer wrote later from Washington's camp at Middlebrook describing how one of
these cannons was subsequently saved from falling into enemy hands:"The fire growing hot
and our men beginning to retreat, a British officer singly rode up to a cannon that was playing
on the enemy, and with his pistols and hangar forced every man from it, then seeing Lord
Sterling, he cried 'Come here you damn rebel, and I will do for you!' Lord Sterling answered
him by directing the fire of four marksmen upon him which presently silenced the hardy
fool....Our men recovered the field piece which their want of small arms obliged them to
abandon."2
According to the subsequent news report, the British officer who was mortally
wounded in the exchange of words and fire at the cannon "was the honorable Mister John
Finch, son of Earl of Wichelson, who came out this spring as a volunteer. After he fell, his
horse came over and was taken by our army." 3
Muenchausen adds that "General Lord Sterling, who was in command, had his horse shot, and
General Maxwell was almost captured by the Hessian Grenadiers missing him only by a hair's
breadth." 4
Apparently according to John Montresor, "Lord Chewton, aide de camp to Lord
Cornwallis had his horse shot under him" as well. 5
Meunchausen's account continues: "They finally fired grape-shot at von Minnigerode's
battallion, but after that they ran away into the woods." 6
Colonel Lewis Willis wrote to Mr. Charles Yates in Fredericksburg, Virginia, regarding this
last desperate clash saying "Several declare that at one discharge of our cannon with
cannisters shot, we thereby killed six men upon the spot." 7
Future cavalry leader Colonel Charles Armand-Tuffin, Marquis de la Rouerie, the
Frenchman in command of Ottendorff's Corps and probably a mounted component of it, in
particular seems to have had a direct role in the contest for the American cannon. He reports
he had a certificate of commendation "from Lord Sterling for my conduct at the battle of short
hills in the jersey--where out of 80 men, 32 were killed & taken in the action & after the corps
were ordered to defend a piece of cannon which happily, though making the rear guard in the
retreat, I saved from the enemy--thus as I may remember were the expressions of Lord
Sterling--the loss of men and the deffence of the peace of canon are the fact." 8
The Americans' Retreat

The flanking movement by Minnigerode's Hessian Grenadiers on the right against the
American left, had produced its desired effect. George Ewing of Maxwell's Brigade states that
these men "were nearly surrounded before we were aware....We were obliged to retreat which
13
we did in good order." 9
William Grant, the Virginia rifleman tells of the ultimate fate of the majority of Ottendorff's
Corps of Volunteers: "They drew up immediately in order to defend their field pieces and
cover our retreat, and in less than an hour and a half were entirely cut off; scarce sixty of them
returned safe out of the field; those who did escape were so scattered over the country that a
great number of them could not rejoin the Army for five or six days." 10
Andr reports that "a troop of Light Dragoons pursued the fugitives and took 30
prisoners, killing or wounding several more." 11
Johann Carl Buttner of Ottendorff's Corps gives his views of events toward the end of
the battle: "When we saw that we were outnumbered and resistance was hopeless, we
abandoned our cannon and baggage and fled down the other side of the hill. Many threw
away their rifles and knapsacks, and ran like hares into the forest. I fell into a ditch and my
comrades, leaving me for dead, jumped over me. As the cannon balls and rifle bullets were
falling all around me and I was afraid of being run through by the enemy that were pursuing
us, I crawled on my hands and knees into some thick undergrowth nearby, and lay there till I
could no longer hear any firing." 12
A British observer gives a detailed description of the scene of battle: "When the
engagement began, I got upon a little hillock to see better, but an honest highlander advised
me to retire into a small breastwork just by, without which I had a mind to stick up myself as
a mark for the rebels to shoot at. I thought proper to take his advice and retired to the place he
directed me to, where I had a very good view of the proceedings. I observed a party of our
men going through a rye field, I suppose with an intent to get into the rear of the rebels and
by that means surround them, but they were met as soon as they got out of the field by about
the same number of rebels. When they were about a hundred yards from each other both
parties fired, but I did not observe any fall. They still advanced to the distance of forty yards
or less, and fired again; I saw a good number of them fall on both sides. Our people then
rushed upon them with their bayonets and the others took to their heels. I heard one of them
call out 'Murder!' lustily. This is laughable if the consequence was not so serious. A fresh party
immediately fired upon our people, but were dispersed and pursued into the woods....A brisk
fire then begain from six field pieces the rebels had secreted in the woods, which did some
mischief to our men. The engagement lasted about thirty-five minutes. Our people took the
field pieces....
"I went to the place where I saw the two parties fire upon each other first, before the
wounded were removed, but I never before saw such a shocking scene: some dead, others
dying, death in different shapes; some of the wounded making the most pitiful lamentations,
others that were of different parties cursing each other as the author of their misfortunes. One
old veteran I observed (that was shot through both legs and not able to walk), was cooly and
deliberately loading his piece and cleaning it from blood. I was surprised at the sight and
asked him his reasons for it. He with a look of contempt, said, 'To be ready in case any of the
Yankees come that way again.'" 13
14
On June 26th 1777 Captain Schott is taken prisoner in the battle of Short Hills, at
Woodbridge, NJ.
From the Pennsylvania Archives we find the following;

OTTENDORFF'S CORPS, PENNSYLVANIA
Captain Anthony Selin's Company, May and June 1777
A PAY ROLL
Of Captain Antony Selins Company of the Independent Corps Commanded by Major
Ottendorff Esqr due from the first of
May 1777 to June the first 1777.
(This is the earliest listing of men in Co.#2, Captain Selin's Company, that we have located to date.
Although it is a Payroll for May-June of 1777, research that we have done points to a date of some time
in the Summer of 1777 (most likely July orAugust 1777 *) This is based on the fact that there is the
signature of Col. Charles Armand, who took command of Ottendorff's Corps on June 11th 1777, and the
countersignature of Richard Humpton** at that point in charge of the 2nd Brigade -Genl. Lincoln's
Division ( Lincoln had been transferred north while his Division remained in the Philadelphia area to
become attached to General Stephen's then to General Wayne). Also the names on the list show men
that we feel were in Co. # 1 Dreisbach's, Co.# 4 Bauer's as well as Ottendorff's own Company. This
may reflect recent disorganization from the damage to the ranks during the engagements of Short Hills
and Boundbrook, NJ in June of 1777.)
*George Washington's General Orders August 6th 1777 "The pay Abstracts of every regiment
and corps in the army, for the month of July, and any time preceding that month, for which they have
not been made out, are to be completed and delivered to the Pay Master General by Monday next. The
officers commanding regiments and corps will be answerable for the execution of this order: And every
officer, who does not deliver in his abstracts, punctually by the time above assigned, may depend on
being arrested, and tried for disobedience of orders; unless there are reasons, which may render it
impracticable, to any to make out and deliver their abstracts by that time"
**General Washington's General Orders July 3, 1777 "Col. Humpton will take the command of
the division commanded by General Lincoln."
(So at this point in time it may be possible that Selin was attached to Genl Lincolns Old Division
which is being commanded by Humpton... he is in the Jerseys and on way to the Philadelphia
Campaigns)
July 4, 1777
George Washington in his General Orders at Head Quarters, Morristown, writes;
The Commander in Chief approves the following sentences of a General Court
Martial, held the 2nd. Inst., whereof Colonel Stewart was president, and orders them to be put
in execution forthwith--viz:
George Deal of Col Armand's Independent Corps, charged with "Desertion" found guilty, and
sentenced to receive 39 lashes.
Charles Grifinger of Col Armand's Independent Corps, charged with deserting from
that corps, and likewise with having deserted from the 11th. Pennsylv. regt., found guilty, and
sentenced to receive 100 lashes on his bare back, for deserting from Col Armand's
15
Independent Corps, and also to receive 50 lashes for deserting from the 11th. Pennsylv.
regiment.
John Gunsell of Col Armand's Independent Corps, charged with "Desertion," found
guilty, and sentenced to receive 39 lashes on his bare back.
David Klein of Col Armand's Independent Corps, charged with "Desertion," pleaded guilty,
and was sentenced to receive 39 lashes.
Wilhelm Dorn of Col Armand's Independent Corps, charged with "Desertion," pleaded guilty,
and was sentenced to receive 39 lashes. (GWP)
(These desertions took place mostly during or right after the June engagements in New Jersey {Short
Hills et al} which was Armands first Battle)
July 16, 1777 George Washington writes the Continental Congress War Board
from Camp near the Clove,
Sir: I am this moment favor'd with yours of the 10th Inst.51 As I am an utter Stranger to any
want of Arms in Colonel Armand's Corps, I am pleased that you have fallen upon so judicious
a mode of supplying him, should it appear, upon inquiry, that he wants so many, which at
present I can scarcely beleive; however, after proper examination, the necessary Steps shall be
taken respecting it.
Should Arms be granted, upon every application from Commanders of Corps or
Regiments in service, all that could be imported would fall exceedingly short of supplying the
Army, as the most trivial disorder or wanton negligence would (in general) be the cause of
requesting such supply. Instances of the Soldiers selling their Cloathes or Arms to Sutlers,
have not as yet come under my Notice; should they in future, I shall fall upon the most
effectual Method to prevent a Repetition of them
(GWP)
[Note 51: This letter. dated July 10, 1777, is in theWashington Papers. The Board of War suspected carelessness in
the need of these arms for Armand's Corps and, while complying with the requisition, ordered the officer who
received them not to deliver them until he obtained Washington's approval. If Washington disapproved, the arms
(50 stands) could be issued wherever the Commander in Chief thought proper.]
August 7, 1777, General Orders George Washinton mentions some trouble that Captain
Dreisback has got himself into; (Dreisback was Captain of Company #1 Ottendorfs Corps then of
course, Armands Corps)
Head Quarters, Roxboro, August 7, 1777.
Capt. Friesback of Col. Armand's corps, charged 1st. with "Absenting himself without
leave; 2nd. When being ordered to join his company when under arms, answer'd, he had time
enough, and declined doing it; 3rd. When being put under arrest, made use of bad language,
and treated his Colonel in a manner unbecoming an officer; 4th. When the corps was ordered
to march into Amboy, he uttered discontent loudly before the soldiers, and wanted to know
why they were returning to Amboy." Acquitted of the first, and found guilty of the second,
third and fourth charges, and sentenced to be reprimanded in General orders, and to ask
pardon of Col Armand in the presence of the officers of his corps.
The Commander in Chief wishes all officers to be impressed with this truth, that nothing is
more essential in military service than an exact subordination, and ready obedience to the
commands of superior officers; that it is this which gives life and vigour to an army: that a
contrary conduct must clog and impede every movement, and excite a spirit of discontent,
16
disobedience and licentiousness among the troops; that in this view, the conduct of Capt.
Friesback must be deemed highly criminal, and of a very dangerous tendency. (GWP)
August 20, 1777 , George Washingtons General Orders

The order, by which Col. Armand's Corps was annexed to Genl. Conways brigade is
countermanded. (GWP)(We still have not been able to find the orders to annex.)
September 1, 1777
George Washington to William Maxwell
Head Qurs., Wilmington, September 1, 1777.
Colo. Armand has complained to me of some Insults, offered him by a Lieutenant Colonel of
Horse, whose name he does not mention, it will be easy for him to name the Gentleman to
you, and you will order a Court of Inquiry upon the matter. (GWP)
September 2, 1777
George Washington to William Maxwell
Sir: I have your two favours of this date.

In consequence of the remonstrance from the Inhabitants near Elk, I have commanded
Armand's Corps to repair immediately to this place. If any of the people who have been
injured can point out the particular Persons, either Officers or Soldiers, they shall be made
Examples of. (GWP)
September 2, 1777
George Washington to Charles Armand-Tuffin, Marquis de la Rouerie,
Sir: I have a complaint lodged against your Corps by a number of the reputable Inhabitants
in the Neighbourhood of Elk.
As I find that your men cannot be restrained from committing Violences while in the Country,
I desire you will immediately march them to this Town. (GWP)
September 4, 1777A memorial from Captain Jacob Bower, and of Charles Seitz, an
adjutant in Major Ottendorf's corps, were read, desiring leave to resign their
commissions.(Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789)
17
1778
March 23, 1778
George Washington- General Orders
Head Quarters, V. Forge, Monday, March 23, 1778.
At a General Court Martial whereof Colonel Swift was President (March 16th. 1778.) Serjeant
John Henry Leiders of the late Armand's Corps, tried for wounding with his sword one Henry
Trautcher found guilty of a breach of Article 5th. Section 18th. of the Articles of War, but in
consideration of some alleviating circumstances only sentenced to be reprimanded by the
officer commanding the Corps he belongs to. (GWP)
March 25, 1778
George Washington to Charles Armand-Tuffin, Marquis de la Rouerie
Head Quarters, Valley Forge, March 25, 1778.
Sir: I yesterday received your letter from York Town. You must have misunderstood me, if
you thought I gave you permission to raise a new and seperate Corps. I told you I had no
power to grant such a request; but that if you could obtain permission from Congress [or of
the Comee. of Congress in Camp] I should have no objection [to the measure and to your
Inlisting Prisoners.] I am certain I never gave you any encouragement to inlist deserters,
because I had ever found them of the greatest injury to the Service, by debauching our own
Men and had therefore given positive orders to all recruiting Officers, not to inlist them upon
any terms. The Congress have since made an express Resolve against it, and also against
inlisting prisoners.
As you say your two Lieutenants were promised the Rank of Captains by the Marquis de la
Fayette, I cannot do any thing in that matter until I have seen the Marquis who is expected
from Albany shortly. When the Committee of Congress found that the Corps formerly
commanded by you, were reduced below 50 Men, they determined to reduce it and to throw
the Men into some Regiment.
I hope you will understand me clearly, [when I again assure you, that I have no powers to
authorize the raising of New Corps] and as you are upon the spot, you will have a good
opportunity of making application to the Congress for such a command as you seem desirous
of having. (GWP)
March 27, 1778

George Washington to Alexander McDougall,
Head Quarters, Valley Forge, March 27, 1778.
Dear Sir: I opened the inclosed to take out the Letter for the commanding Officer at Albany,
having an opportunity of sending it immediately there by Colo. Armand.
(GWP)
18
May 17th., 1778, At a Board of War,
Present, Colo. Pickering, Mr. Peters, Mr. Duer.
That Colo. Armand, Marquis de la Rouerie, at present commanding the Independent Corps,
formerly raised by Major Ottendorf, be authorized to recruit for the purpose of compleating
the said Corps, Deserters from theEnemy's foreign Troops, French Men, and others not owing
Allegiance to the King of Great Britain, upon the same Terms as other Troops raised on the
Continental Establishment for three Years or during the War.That the said Corps be
distinguished by the Name of The Free and Independent Chasseurs.
That it consist of Three Companies, formed and Commanded as follows, vizt.:
Each company to consist of one Captain, 1 Captn. Lieut., 2 Lieuts., 8 Sergeants, 8 Corporals, 2
Drummers, 128 Privates.Regimentary Officers, 1 Colo., 1 Major, 1 Regimental Standard Bearer,
or Ensign Major, with the Rank and Pay of Lieut.
So that the whole will be composed as follows, viz:
* One Colonel * 24 Sergeants

* 1 Major * 24 Corporals
* 3 Captains * 6 Drummers or horn sounders
* 3 Capt. Lieuts * 384 Privates
* 6 Lieuts * 438 Non-Comd. and Privates
* 1 Ensign Major
* 14 Commn. Officers
That Genl. Washington be authorized to appoint as Officers to the said Corps, such Officers of
Merit as are at present in it, and such other foreign Officers of Merit as at present hold
Commissions, and who are not already and cannot be annexed to other Corps, on the propose
arrangement of the army.
That this Corps when raised shall act in concert with Genl. Pulaski's Legion in such
manner as Genl. Washington shall deem best
That if any French, or other Foreigners (not Deserters from the Enemy) shall Enlist in
the said Corps, the State in which such Troops shall so enlist shall be credited in their
Continental Quota for such Recruits as they shall think proper to allow the State Bounty in
addition to that allowed by the United States.
And whereas, Congress have received Information that several Foreign Deserters from
the Enemy's Troops and Prisoners of War have been enlisted in the Regiments rais'd by the
Respective States, contrary to the Resolutions of Congress, but injurious to the interests of
these States.
Resolved, That Genl. Washington be directed to order Returns to be made from the
Regiments of such Deserters and Prisoners of War; and that they be turn'd over to such
Companies of Genl. Pulaski's Legion, or of the Free and Independent Chasseurs as they shall
prefer.
That the sum of Dollars be advanced by the Treasury to the Order of the Board of War to be by
the said Board paid from Time to Time to Colo Armand or his order for the purpose of
recruiting the said corps.By order of the Board.Tim. Pickering, junr
That none of the said Foreign Officers, to be appointed in the said corps, shall receive
any higher pay than what is annexed to the Commands they may respectively be appointed
19
to, by Virtue of any Brevet Commission which may have been granted by the Resolutions of
Congress of the 2d February last
Resolved, That the independent corps raised by Colonel Armand, in consequence of General
Washington's permission, be taken into continental pay; the pay to commence from the time of
the respective inlistments of the non-commissioned officers and privates engaged in the same:
That General Washington be authorized to officer this corps with such foreign and
other officers of merit as at present hold commissions, and who are not already and cannot be
annexed to other corps on the proposed arrangement of the army: That if any of the states
shall think proper to allow to the non-commissionedofficers and privates, who have or shall
inlist in Colonel Armand's corps, the bounty allowed by them respectively, in addition to the
continental bounty, the men so engaged shall be credited as part of the quota of the State who
shall allow the additional bounty:That the sum of five thousand dollars be paid to the Board of
War, to be by them advanced to Colonel Armand, towards paying the continental bounty and
recruiting charges of the said corps; for which sum, Colonel Armand is to be accountable. 1
(Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789)
May 28, 1778

George Washington- General Orders
Head Quarters, V. Forge, Thursday, May 28, 1778.
*ARRANGEMENT OF ARMY AND ROUTE OF

MARCH TO THE NORTH RIVER93
[Note 93: Washington endorsed this, at some later date: "Note--this March was changed by the Enemys March
through New Jersey."]
The Detachment under Colo. Jackson to March into Philadelphia and receive orders from
General Arnold who will comd. there.
Vanscoicks Regiment to replace the 8th. Pensyla. in the 2d. Pensa. Brigade.
The Seed. State Regimt. of Virginia to replace the 13th. Virga. Regt. in Muhlenbergs Brig.
The Parke of Artillery to be divided among the several divisions above, equally and March
with them.
20
ARMANDS CORPS.
The first and Second division to move the Morning after Intelligence is received of the Enemys
evacuation of the City. The third and fourth divisions the Morning next following; and the
fifth division the Morning after.
Every days March to begin at four o'clock in the Morning at farthest.

1st. 3d. and 5th. Divisions by Coryells Ferry and through Smiths Clove.
2d. Division by Sherards Ferry and Sussex Court House.
Fourth division by Easton and Sussex Ct. Ho.
A June 1778 muster rolls show Selins Corps -with no mention of Schott
( he is a prisoner) ( The key word here we believe is Corps as opposed to termSchotts Company
as used in Oct,1778. This leads one to believe that the use of Corps here could mean a combination of
Companies. This combining of Companies was most likely due to the capture of Schott and breaking up
and reforming of the original companies of what was left of Ottendorff /Armands Old Corps)
July 3, 1778
George Washington to Marquis de Lafayette
Head Quarters, Brunswick, July 3, 1778.
Dear Marquis: I have received your letter on the subject of the corps raising by Col
Armand.
You are sensible that it rests solely with Congress to determine the existence of a new
corps and decide in an affair of this nature; If they should think proper to give their sanction to
Col. Armand in the business he is engaged in, and in which by your representation he has
made so considerable a progress, I assure you, it will be intirely agreeable to me, not only
because I should be glad to see Col. Armand himself provided for; but because the corps he is
raising may furnish means of employment to a number of the foreign Officers who are
hitherto unemployed. (GWP)
July 15, 1778 Ottendorff reappears based on a letter from General Heath to George
Washington from Heaths headquarters in Boston;
Dear General, This moment Col Armand & a Major Ottendorff called at my quarters and
being about to set out for the army, the major desires I would write your excellency that he is
exceedinly sorry for leaving the service the last year, and wishes overlook it, that he desires to
again serve in the army. He has made several applications to the navy board to serve in the
navy, he is now requesting Col Armand to let him serve in his Corps if agreeable to you nd
Col Armand informs me he would like him as a major if your excellency should approve of it,
and has desired me to mention it. I know nothing of the Majors abilities or the reasons his
leaving the army, both of which ( illegible) are known to your excellency
21
At which point Washington writes back to Heath on August 14, 1778;
Dear Sir:
Within a few days past I have been favoured with your several letters of the 15, 17 and
25 Ulto. and of the 6th. Inst.
Mr. Attendorff shall never act as a Major or in any capacity as an officer in the army with my
consent; and I am much surprised that he should entertain the most distant idea that he would
be received. His conduct deserves a very different notice. (GWP)
July 27, 1778
George Washington to Col. William Malcom
Head Quarters [White Plains] July 27, 1778.
...I some time ago directed the German or Armand's Regiment to be sent to Fort
Arnold as the most proper place of security, they being chiefly deserters. But as the order has
been neglected, I now inclose a letter to Colo. Armand or the commanding Officer directing
him to repair thither. I cannot at present spare Graham's Regiment. A few days ago I sent up
eight persons to Fort Arnold who were sent from Vermont. If they could be confined in any
other place, I think it would be more proper, as, if they are really inimical, they may make
themselves masters of the state of the Garrison, Works &ca. If you can see Govr. Clinton, you
may consult him upon a proper place. (GWP)
August 3, 1778
George Washington to William Malcom
Head Quarters, August 3, 1778.
Sir: At the earnest intercession of Colo. Armand I have consented to advance his Corps,
consisting of Horse and Foot, near the Enemy's lines. You will therefore permit Lieut. Colo.
Vrigny95 to march with the Foot of that Corps to Camp. (GWP)
[Note 95: Lieut. Col.--de Vrigny, Armand's Corps. He resigned in October, 1778.]
August 28, 1778 A report of the Commissioned Officers Belonging to the Corps
commanded lately by Col. Armand at present commanded by Capt Antoni Selin - shows
Schott as taken prisoner June 77 and under his Commission date not known Also it shows
Armand as Colonel and Ottendorf as Major and both of them have not known under the
Resigned heading. It is signed Antoni Selin, Captain, Commander of these Corps. (This
would lead one to believe that Selin doesnt know what happened to Ottendorf or Armand and is just
continuing the command that he has of Ottendorf and /or Armand. Ottendorf had left his command as
stated previously and Armand was organizing his new Corps of Partisans and Chasseurs) 2
August 31, 1778

George Washington to Continental Congress
Head Quarters, White Plains, August 31, 1778.
Sir: I would take the liberty to inform Congress, that Colo. Armand is come to camp with his
22
Corps and has applied to me for commissions for his Officers. By the Resolution for
establishing the Corps, it was to be officered out of the Foreigners then commissioned in our
service, who were not, nor could be provided for in any of the Regiments. Instead of this, there
are only three Officers in his Corps, who before held any Commissions in our service Viz:
Lieut. Colo. Vrigny31 and Captains Mercley and Shafner.32 The Two last were only Lieutenants
and are now appointed to Captaincies, contrary, it seems to me, to the spirit and intention of
the Resolution.33 As Colo. Armand has departed from his instructions which must govern me,
I am not authorised to grant the Commissions he requires, and am therefore under the
necessity of troubling Congress, with the arrangement of the Corps, No. 1,34 as it now actually
stands for their consideration and decision. The Colonel founds his deviation from the Resolve
upon some verbal intimation given him, that the part in question would not be insisted on.
(GWP)
[Note 31: Resigned in October, 1778.]
[Note 32: Capts. Charles Markit and George Shaftnet. Both had been in Pulaski's Legion.]
[Note 33: The resolve of June 25, 1778. (SeeJournals of the Continental Congress.)]
[Note 34: This arrangement (inclosure No. 1), in Armand's writing, is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No.
152, 6, 383. It is indorsed by Charles Thomson: "Arrangement of Armand's Corps made by the sd. Armand wch.
Genl. Washington cannot confirm. referred to the board War."]
(We think Selin was not with Armand at this time otherwise GW would have mentioned his name
because he held a service commission. Remember just before this, Selin files the report on Officers and
Men of the Corps lately commanded by Armand which he signs as in his command at present and
Armand, a few weeks later, files almost the same report stating Selins company was attached to his
Corps. see Aug 3,1778).
Sometime between Aug & Oct 1778 we believe that Schott is freed by prisoner exchange and
resumes command of a company.
Sept. 3, 1778
A Return of the Independent Corps of Cavallerie and of Foot, commanded by Collonel
Armand, Granwitch Sept. 3 1778 signed by Armand states:
4 Companys lattly annexed to my company from which three without Captns to be
incorporated in the others companys.(GWP)
( This entry tells us that Armand is treating the original Corps de Ottendorf as a new addition to his
Corps when in reality it is the original unit he commanded when he came to America. My feeling here
is that because he did not recruit the men for the original Corps he never really accepted them as his
command. Now that he has recruited his own men he acts as if the original Ottendorfs Corps has been
annexed to his new Corps which have all been recruited in Massachusetts State. I feel the reality
here is that he has not enough men to complete his ranks and needs the 47 men that Selin commands.
Those men are the combined Companies of Ottendorfs under Selin, possibly since July 1777. The
return shows Selin as the only Captain and Schott is listed as a prisoner. This most likely was what was
left of the Corps after the battle of Short Hills June 1777. JWF)
23
The Oct 1778 muster rolls now shows Schotts Company with Schott in command
and Selin serving as an additional Captain and the men are the same ones from Selins June 78
Muster rolls. (now it is called Schott;s Company as opposed to Selins Corps of June 78 )
During this time period there is evidence that Capt.s Selin and Schotts relationship with
Col. Armand is strained and that they and the men under their command are about to split off
from Armand altogether.
On November 9th 1778 Washington receives a letter from Armand in which he is

explaining that he had applied to the Board of War to have ... the commissions of my officers
answered... Armand had yet to receive a reply and is seeking Washingtons help. Several
lines later, Armand writes ...if i conserve that comand or not, i beg your excellency to take the
old coprs annexed to me from the new one being impossible that the officiere in the both side
live well altogether. 3 (We believe Armands reference of the old corps to be Selin and Schott.
Armand and his officers, {that he is asking to receive commissions}, are at odds with Selin and
Schott).
November 16, 1778

George Washington to Continental Congress
Head Quarters, Fredericksburgh, November 16, 1778.
Sir: I had the honor of receiving your favour of the 6th, yesterday, with the inclosed copy of a
letter from the President of the Council of New Jersey, relative to an expected attack upon the
Western frontier of that state. I have just received a letter from General Hand,87 giving
intelligence of an attack upon Colonel Alden's regiment at Cherry-Valley, effected by surprise,
in consequence of which there is too much reason to apprehend, that regiment may fall a
sacrifice. I transmit a copy of the dispatches announcing this disagreeable affair. (GWP)
[Note 87: A copy of Hand's letter of November 13, also one of Col. Frederick Fisher, of November 11, and one of
Col. Jacob Klock, of November 12, are filed with this one of Washington in thePapers of the Continental Congress.
The original of Hand's letter is in theWashington Papers.]
These depredations of the Enemy give me the most serious concern. I lament that we
have not yet had it in our power to give them an effectual check. I am perfectly convinced, that
the only certain way of preventing Indian ravages is to carry the war vigorously into their
own country; but as this is thought impracticable at this late season of the year from the state
of the waters and other impediments, I fear we must content ourselves for the present with
defensive precautions, for the present.
I have already informed Congress, that Col. Cortlandt's regiment had marched towards
the Minisincks; but having since directed Count Pulaski to proceed with his corps to Cole's
fort in that neighbourhood, Col. Cortlandt will take post somewhere between that place and
Rochester. Orders are now given to Col. Spencers regiment and Col. Armands corps to join
General Pulaski.
24
This disposition is agreeable to the opinion of Governour Clinton and other Gentlemen
acquainted with the Country, whom I have consulted; and is calculated to cover the Eastern
frontier of Pensylvania, New Jersey and the western part of New York.
I shall also immediately send the remainder of General Clinton's Brigade to Albany;
when arrived there if any thing offensive can possibly be undertaken it shall be done, if not
they will be disposed of in a manner that shall seem best adapted for protection and defence.
(GWP)
November 16, 1778

George Washington to Philip J. Schuyler
Head Quarters, Fredericksburgh, November 16, 1778.
I ordered Count Pulaski some days ago to march to the Minisincks with his Legion consisting
of about 250 Horse and foot, which will be reinforced by Armand's and Spencers Corps,
amounting to about the same number. This force you will have in view, in your deliberations,
and also Colo. Cortlandts Regiment, which is now between Minisincks and Rochester. (GWP)
On November 17, 1778 Col. Armand again writes Washington reminding him of his
request to have his officers commissioned and that he be commissioned abrigadier. From
this letter we also read that he wants to return to France for some reason as soon as his new
officers get their commissions. ( It may appear by this letter, he fears that his newly appointed officers
(which he is seeking commissions for) may leave the Corps if they are not received and he is away or
possibly that Schott & Selin and their officers may leave the Corps)
He also writes: Mr. Shott which told me that he was independant by his commission,
has taken his men, and is separated from me with my great satisfaction, him and his officers
having (as they persuade everybody) so great authority to head quarters, that they would put
me reither under their command than obey mine. And which to the first difficulty which they
had with my others officers, which they reporached often to have not commissions, told them
come with me to head quarter the men from Mr. Shott having in fine time thier time out. and
mine being inlisted for three ears, it have to be a great justice that the officers which enlisted
them have the command upon them. In case your Excellency would ordered the Corps to
march, I am ready my self to command our march with him every where your Excellency shall
be pleased. but that corps want to be released and if I stay here I shall ask that favour to your
Excellency.4 ( What webelieve we are seeing here is the formal breaking off of Schott and Selins Corps
from Armands Corps)
25
A rifleman of one of the remaining two companies of Morgans Rifle Corps, then serving against the
Iroquois in New York under Maj. Thomas Posey. Slung at his back is a folding spear for self defense.
(Painting by Don Troiani, www.historicalimagebank.com )
26
November 18, 1778
George Washington to David Henley
Head Quarters, Fredericksburg, November 18, 1778.
Sir: Colonel Gist handed me your letter of the 16th. Inst.

You will be pleased to continue in your command,20 till circumstances may make it necessary
to alter the arrangement, or till my further orders on this subject.21
[Note 20: Henley succeeded Scott in command on the lines at Bedford, N.Y.]
[Note 21: Armand's corps was serving with the light troops under Henley on the lines at this
time, and Armand himself, being dissatisfied with the treatment he had received from
Congress, requested Washington's leave to go to Philadelphia to settle the affairs of his corps
and return to France. Washington furnished him with a letter of introduction to Congress. "He
considers his honor as interested in having his engagements with his officers fulfilled and if he
can succeed in this, proposes to return immediately to France. Several of these Gentlemen also,
he informs me will accompany him. Under these circumstances as the appointments have been
made and the Gentlemen have served a considerable time under those appointments, I take
the liberty to recommend it to Congress, to grant commissions agreeable thereto."
Washington's letter to the President of Congress, dated Nov. 19, 1778, is in theWashington
Papers. (See Washington's letter to the President of Congress, Aug. 31, 1778,ante.)]
I need not recommend to you diligence and good conduct in the execution of its
different objects. But besides communicating your information as it arises, in the manner
which Genl. Scott pursued, and in which you have his instructions, you might make out a
table, or something in the way of columns, under which you might range, their magazines of
forage, grain and the like, the different corps and regiments, the Works, where thrown up,
their connexion, kind and extent, the officers commanding, with the number of guns &ca. &ca.
This table should comprehend in one view all that can be learned from deserters, spies,
and persons who may come out from the enemy's boundaries. And tho' it will be a gradual
work, and subject to frequent alteration and amendment yet it may be, by attention and
proper perseverance made a very useful one. Transcripts may be drawn occasionally from it as
you advance, and communicated.
In the mean time you will direct your utmost exertions to learn every movement which may
lead to a positive conclusion with respect to their leaving, or garrisoning New York.
As the troops of Convention are on their way to the North river, on their march to Virginia,
you will command the strictest observance of the roads leading from Kingsbridge, as well as
in your look outs along the Hudson.
You will also, in case any of the convention troops should straggle down towards you
with an intention to escape into New York, have them secured, that they may be sent into the
country. I have no doubt of the faithful execution of these things and of your utmost diligence
in the great object of just, constant and authentic intelligence. (GWP)
27
November 20, 1778 Washington writes to General Edward Hand informing him that
...I have thought it would be more agreeable to you to remove down to the Minisink
settlement and take command of a Body of troops which we are under the necessity of
assembling there to protect that Frontier agains the incursions of the Indians. The Corp at the
Minisink will consist of Count Pulaskis Legion, Colo. Armands Corps and Colo. Spencers
Regt. making about 500 Horse and Foot. 5
On November 24, 1778 again we find a reference which could have us believe that the
Company commanded by Schott is not attached to Armands Corps.
In a letter from George Washington to Pulaski on this date we read; I have ordered Col.
Spencer with his regiment, Colo. Armand with his corps and Captn. Schot with a party under
his command to join you as speedily as possible; The more effectually to enable you, or the
Officer commanding to repel any attempts of the enemy in the quarter where you are. 6
December 16, 1778

George Washington to Pulaski's Corps Commanding Officer
Head Quarters, Middle Brook, December 16, 1778.
Sir: I am informed by the Qr. Mr. General that you have returned to Easton with the Horse of
Count Pulaski's and Colo. Armands Corps, not being able to procure Forage at Minisink or in
that neighbourhood. It will not be possible for you to remain at Easton, without the greatest
inconvenience to the service, as you must consume that Forage which is necessary for the
Teams upon the communication and a great deal of that which is intended for this Camp.
Colo. Hooper47 the Deputy Qr. Mr. Genl. has directions to canton the Horse under your
command in such places as he shall find least liable to the objections above mentioned, you
will therefore be directed entirely by him and remove to such place as he shall point out. That
no more Forage may be consumed than is absolutely necessary, you are to divest yourself of
all supernumerary Waggon and Baggage Horses and of all Dragoon Horses unfit for service,
which are to be delivered up to Colo. Hooper who will dispose of them in a proper manner.
You are to take particular care that the Officers attend to their Men and Horses that they may
be kept in good order and ready to be collected for service at a Moment's warning. I am
&ca.48 (GWP) [Note 47: Col. Robert Lettis Hooper, jr., Deputy Quartermaster General.]
[Note 48: The draft is in the writing of Tench Tilghman.] ROUGH DRAFT OF PART OF WASHINGTON'S
ANALYSIS OF THE PROPOSED EXPEDITION AGAINST CANADA, NOVEMBER, 1778
Now in the Minisink region (present day Port Jervis, N.Y.) Capt. Selin and Schott are
found to be garrisoned at Deckers Fort and DeWitts Fort. These were two of several fortified
homes in this region. Deckers, the strongest of these frontier posts, was the home of Maj.
Martinus Decker. DeWitts Fort was located north of Deckers on the Neversink River, near
the town of Cuddebackville (Orange Co., N.Y.)
In December 25th 1778, Capt. Selin sends a letter to Gen. Hand from Minisinks. He
reports that he has received his orders but had fallen from his horse and was injured. Selin
cannot leave Minisink for three or four days but will send Lt. Lawrence Myers ... with the
Core tomorrow morning to the Place you Direct... 7 (Selin signs this letter as Antoni Selin,
Capt., Commander at Present. Capt. Schott may have been elsewhere at this time.)
28
1779
On January 2, 1779 there is a Return of the Officers and Men Stationed at De Witts and
Deckers Fort...belonging to the Corps commanded by Captn. John Paul Schott...
According to this return, there are 17 men at Deckers and 18 at DeWitts Fort. It is noted that
Lt. Myers commands DeWitts. 1 (Selin may still be recovering from his injury and has not yet
arrived) (See appendix IV in Selins History)
On January 14, 1779 at Minisink, Capt. Sealing (Selin) is serving on a court martial
board involving one of Count Pulaskis men, Capt. Kotkowski. 2
February 7, 1779 , George Washington writes to Hand on February 7 with more proof
that Capts. Selin and Schott have separated from Armands command. In part, Washington
writes: ...There is a small corp under the immediate command of Capt. Schott, which
formerly belonged to Colo. Armands old and now attached to his new Corps. As they are
unhappy in their situation on account of a disagreement in point of Rank..I have thought it
best that they shall also march to the Southward with Pulaski's Legion. You will therefore give
Capt. Schott orders to march to Lancaster, where he will also find orders how to proceed.
Washington changes his mind when on February 8, he writes ...I have determined that Captn
Schotts Corps shall remain where they are, as I find they occupy a small detached post. 3
(As they are unhappy in their situation on account of a disagreement in point of Rank, is in
reference to Armand s continual attempts to have his officers that he recruited promoted in the ranks
with disregard for Selin & Schotts earlier commission dates and seniority. (See November 17, 1778))
On February 8, 1779, Washington writes to Count Pulaski, whose corps is in Minisink

(see letter previous letter of 2/7/79-GW to Hand). In part, Washington informs Pulaski that ... The
detached corps under Captn Schott cannot be spared at this time... 4
March 7, 1779, A Return of the State of Clothing of the Independent Corps of Foot
Commanded by Captn John Paul Schott Mar. 7th, 1779 listing 44 men present. 5
On March 9, 1779 Capt. Selin writes to Gen. Hand from Fortt Deckers. The letter is
brief, and although it has been somewhat difficult to transcribe, apparently has something to
do with complaints from Tory women. 6
On March 12, 1779 Capt. Schott, Comdg. at Dewitts Fort, writes to Gen. Hand
informing him of a confrontation between Arthor Ventail and a Tory by the name of Robert
Land (...one of the greatest villans in this part...) Capt. Schott also requests ...som rum for
my men for fatig, as I am about finishing the fort... 7
Two days later, on March 14, 1779 Capt. Selin sends Gen. Hand a letter telling him that
...Capt. Lieut Decker of Millitia with his Party.. caught two Tories and had just brought them
in for questioning. It is interesting to note that one of the Tories was Robert Land, who was
mentioned in Capt. Schotts letter of March 12. 8
29
On March 20,1779 Gen. Hand writes to Washington from Minisink requesting that
... we may be Supplied with Tents, Camp kittles & canteens all which are destitute of- we
also want 121 Firelocks & 286 Bayonets... which I hope will be ordered up Immediately-
Armand & Schotts Corps Particularly are much in want of Shirts...
Gen. Hands list includes Capt. Schott in need of 6 firelocks, and 6 bayonets.
At the end of this five page letter, Gen. Hand informs Washington that ...Col.
Armand Orderd the Cavalry of his Corps form the Place where I informed your Excly they
were.... without acquainting me of his intention, nor did I know it until the Col. departed for
Boston. Tho I think the Col, to blame I am not sory the troops movd as I dont think I would
make any use of them here. 9
There are two Returns for The Independent Company of Foot: one on March 22, 1779
and one on May 16, 1779 from Wyoming. Both returns list Schott as In command or
Commander of the Corps. The last return makes mention of them being the 2nd Pa.
Company. 10
March 24, 1779 Washington writes to Gen. Hand stating in part, ... As soon as the
Weather will admit I intend the German Battalion, Armands and Schotts Corps shall move
over to Wyoming to take post there...,
... Inclosed you have a Resolve of Congress of the 15th. instant which includes Spencers,
Armands, and Schotts Corps, be pleased to communicate it to them, and direct them to make
the Returns called for...
... It is with surprize I observe in your return, so many men absent on Furlough from
Spencers and the German Regiment; let them be immediately recalled, and inform me how it
happens that the prest. total of Armands Corps is 73 only and by the last return 91 without
any reason for the difference... 11
March 30, 1779

Return of Camp equipage, horses and waggoons in possession of the Brigade of foot
commanded by Edward Hand Esq. Brigade General.30th March 1779
Capt. J.P. Shotts Corps

3 camp kettles
4 canteens
1 axes
2 spades
2 saddles
5 waggoon
2 waggoons
30
Return of Camp Equipage wanted in the Brigade Commanded by General Hand. 30th
March 1779 12
Capt. Schotts Corps
2 Officers tents
9 soldiers tents
2 Bell tents
9 Camp Kettles
47 canteens
Also there is a return filed which was taken from Pa. Historical Association 13
Cap. J.P. Shott Regt. No. of officers and privates 51

March 30, 1779
On April 1, 1779 George Washington writes to Gen. Hand after having received a letter
from Col. Zebulon Butler at Wyoming reporting ...that a Body of the enemy, consisting of
Indians and others, had made their appearance at Wyoming, and had destroyed several
Houses and Barns... I must therefore desire you to order the German Regiment, and Armands
and Schotts Corps to march to that place with the utmost expedition... 14
Also on April 1, 1779 George Washington writes to Col. Zebulon Butler ...Considering
the importance of the place (Wyoming) I have ordered up the German regiment, Armands
and Schotts corp as a reinforcement... 15
April 4, 1779 George Washington wrote to Gen. Hand: Sir: the Arms, Cloathing and
Camp Equipage for Colo. Spencers and the German Regiment and for Armands and Schotts
Corp, of which Capt Schott brought down a return, will be sent up the Susquehannah to
Wyoming. ...I have given you this information lest the Corps ordered to Wyoming, might
have waited for Capt. Schotts return before they marched, which should they not have done...
you will immediately put them in motion... 16
Washington also writes to the Board of War this day: Gentlemen: Capt. Schott waits
upon you with at Return of Arms and Clothing wanting for the several Corps therein
mentioned which are ordered over to Wyoming. The Cloathing could have been furnished
from hence, but it will be so much more convenient to send it from Philada. to Esterton upon
the Susquehannah and from thence to Wyoming by Water, where it will meet the Troops, that
I have directed Capt. Schott to proceed to Philada.
I imagine the Arms and Accourtrements had better be ordered from the Magazine at
Carlisle, as the distance from thence to Susquehannah is so much shorter than from Philada. or
should there be a sufficiency in the hands of the Armourers at Lancaster it will be more
convenient still. Capt. Schott will take the order and see that the Articles are safely conveyed
to Susquehannah. I am, &c. 17
(It is also noted that Washington had written to Capt. Schott on April 4, ordering him to Philadelphia
to procure arms, accoutrements and clothing from the board of war and to ...use the utmost diligence in
having them transported to Estherton upon the Susquehannah and from thence, up to Wyoming by
Water,) 18
31
April 5, 1779 Gen. Hand writes to Major Burchardt of the German Regiment ...you will
procedd to Wyoming on the Susquehanna River with the Regiment under your Immediate
Command, Col. Armands and Capt. Schotts corps, the former is commanded at present by
Major Lomargn and the latter by Capt. Selin. These corps will join you at or before you reach
Col. Strouds at Fort Penn... 19 (They are now being ordered to Wyoming and Selin is apparently in
command as Schott is in Philadelphia).
May 12, 1779 Gen. Hand writes to Washington from Wyoming: ...Capt Schott & the
officers of his little corps are very uneasie at their present situation, they wish to be permitted
to recruit the Corps to a number that will entitle them to promotion and enable them to
distinguish themselves & the Corps- or to be joind to some other Regiment... Captn. Schott i
think is a very good and active officer would therefore be sorry to loose him. 20
Then Washington replies to Gen. Hand on May 31 from Middlebrook, about the above
mentioned situation: ...When Captn. Schot was at this camp I expressed my sentiments to him pretty
freely to which I would refer. The difficulties attending the introduction of officers of one corps into
those of another, are such as to forbid almost any further experiment of this kind. If Captn. Schott and
his officers should not be willing to submit to the inconveniences of the service I can only lament their
loss. 21
On May 16, 1779 Capt. Schott compiles a Return of the Corps of Foot Commanded by
Capt. John Paul Schott...signed by Schott, Commander of the Corp. Wyoming 18th May
1779. It reports two Captains (Schott and Selin) 22
On the May 18th 1779 a return is filed from which we extract the following in regards to Selin
and Schott:
Return of the Continental Troops at Wyoming under the command of Edward Hand Esq.
Brigad. General
Schotts Corps
2 Captains
2 Lieutenants
1 Quarter Master Sergeant
6 Sergeants
1 Drums & Fifes
32 Present Fit for Duty
3 Sick Absent
3 On Command
2 On Furlough
40 Total
32
May 28th 1779 A return for provision issued:
Return of the daily issues of provision to the troops at the post of Wyoming from May 9th to
the 28th. 23
May 11 Capt. Schotts Corps May 14 Capt. Schotts Corps
No. days 3 No. days 3
No. Men 41 No. men 41
No. rations 123 No. rations 123
lbs. flour 123 lbs. flour 123
lbs. pork 95 lbs. pork 82
lbs. beef 0 lbs. beef 0
lbs. fish 60 lbs. fish 51

No. days 3 No. days 3
No. men 41 No. men 44

No. Days 3 No. Days 3
No. Men 48 No. Men 47
( The original return lists every unit receiving rations under General Hands command. We have listed
only that which pertains to Schotts Corps to save space)
June 1st 1779 Taken from the Orderly Book of General Hands Brigade at Headquarters
in Wyoming Pennslyvania:
A Detachment consisting of 2 Captains, 4 Subalterns and 120 men including non com
officers from this garrison including the troops arriving today to be ready to proceed
tomorrow with the boats now here to Estherton to assist in working a number of boats from
whence to this place The men if they do this duty properly will be paid for these services for
the better executing this important service the Genl. wishes that the men in the different Corps
who understand boating may be selected, with respect to this _______ proportions 24
33
Between June 2nd and June 18th 1779 Captain Anthoni Selin was put in command of
this combined Corps which was noted as the Different Corps made up of officers, non
comissioned officers and Rank & File from the various units that were quartered in Wyoming
under General Hand. Their task was to bring up boats, supplies & provisions from
Middletown Pennsylvania to Wyoming Pennsylvania via the Susquehanna River where
General Sullivan was assembling his forces for their march north. The following is an excerpt
from the Return that Captain Selin filed on his return: ( the usage of the term Different Corps is
a puzzle - at this point in time it appears that this was used as a term for a specially selected corps led
by Selin and not a random term for all the small units present. J.W.F.)
A Return of the detachment from the Different Corps under the Command of
Capt. Antoni Selin bringing Boats from Middletown to Wyoming from 2nd. to 18 Inst. June
being 17 days.
Capt. Schotts Corps

Antoni Selin Captain
John Gledka Sergeant (Gelecke)
Privates
John Levering (?)
Peter Carback
Jacob Reynert
Christopher Felts (Fels)
Total
1 Capt
1 Sergeant
4 Privates
Total of the whole Detachment
German Regiment Col. Smiths Regiment

2 Lieutenants 2 Lieutenants
1 Sergeant 2 Sergeants
2 Corporals 2 Corporals
1 drummer 35 Privates
40 Privates
Col. Armands Corps Capt. Schotts Corps

1 Doctor 1 Captain
6 Privates 1 Sergeant
4 Privates
Capt. Spaldings Co.

1 Captain
2 Sergeants
4 Corporals
30 Privates
34
25( The original return lists every name of the men attached to the Different Corps- these have been
ommitted in this document to save space. The additional Captain of this detachment was Captain
Spalding )
On June 28, 1779 Washington writes to Armand instructing him ...without delay,
march your corps towards Bedford, to join the troops at or near that place under the command
of Colonel Moylan. You are not for the present to go with the corps yourself...as there is a
complaint of a serious nature against you made by Mr. Vandeburgh... 26
July 5, 1779
George Washington to Charles Armand-Tuffin, Marquis de la Rouerie
Sir: The complaints of your corps daily increased. You will immediately on receipt of this
send it off under the Officer next in command, to join Col. Moylan, at or near Bedford.
Yourself will remain with the Witness you have to attend a Court Martial which will sit
tomorrow morning at 10 oClock at New Windsor27
July 13, 1779 Gen. Hand writes to Gen. Sullivan from Kelsos Ferry regarding supply
boats coming up from Sunbury. Capt. Schotts Corps is cited as being used as escort. 28
On July 31, 1779 Gen. Sullivans army leaves Wyoming in the afternoon, marching 10
miles. Rev. William Rogers, Chaplin in Hands 3rd Brigade wrote the Order of March in his
journal ...the Eleventh Pennsylvania regiment and Captain Spaldings independent company
advance by platoon from the center of the line...the German regiment and Captain Schotts
independent corps from the right of the said regiment, formed a column and marched on the
right of the Eleventh... Schotts riflemen in Indian file... 29
August 14, 1779 Armand is put under arrest. (This would mean that Armands Regiment is
still under Col Moylans command?) General Washington writes Robert Howe the following:
Head Quarters, West-point, August 14, 1779.
Dear Sir: I have to acknowledge your favor of yesterday. In a Letter of Col. Hamilton's a few
days ago, to you, I signified that Col. Armand should be put under arrest. In one from Col.
Armand to the former it does not appear that this had taken place. Should this be so you will
be pleased to have the order executed, as it would be unmilitary to continue him doing duty,
while the court are determining on his case. Altho' this may be repugnant to his feelings, yet I
dare say he will be reconciled, when he considers the consequences that might ensue from
dispensing in a single instance with the established laws and usages of the army. 30
August 23rd, 1779 Capt. Schott and Selins are transferred to Gen. Hands 3rd Brigade
as noted in Rev. William Rogers journal: ...By this days orders the 4th Pennsylvania regiment
and Rifle Corps are annexed to General Hands brigade. 31
Also on August 23rd, 1779 we find in the Orderly book of Colonel Oliver Spencers
Additional Regiment, the following again with reference to the different Corps:
35
Head Quarters Tioga 23d Augst: 1779
.....The Troops who want Shoes or Overhalls are to make returns this day and draw them....
After Orders
.....The different Corps are immediately to call on the Qr. Mr Genl for fascine Knives,
Knapsacks, Haversacks, & Canteens. 32 ( Again the use of the term Different Corps as
commaned by Selin? along with mention of Facine Knives_ possibly used by Pioneers ?)
Lt. Col. Francis Barber offers three references in his Orderly Book regarding Capt.
Schott and Selin. On Aug. 24, from Fort Sullivan (Tioga Pt.) he writes: ... Captains Schott &
Rosencrans, commanding corps, are permitted to ride...( Could this possibly mean Schott was ill
or injured to receive this permission?)
August 27: (Head Quarters near Chemung) ...one man from each Regiment to be
added to Capt. Selins Corp of pioneers.
Head Quarters, Caterines Town, Septr. 2 ... The Comr in Chief is truly sensible of
Capt. Bellard & Selin & Ensn. Dodge with their Corps of pioneers for their Great alartness in
forwarding the march of the army yesterday & tanks them for their industry. 33
August 31, 1779 Armand is acquitted. In George Washingtons General orders of
August 31st 1779 we read:
At a General Court Martial of the line whereof Colonel Stewart was President held at West
Point the 25th instant, Colonel Armand was tried upon the following charges:
For 1st. During Colonel Armand's stay at Colonel Vandeburgh's house (which was about two
hours), he with sundry of his officers in a most atrocious and wanton manner, beat and abused
a son of his, without cause of offence.
Secondly. Putting him under a guard of two Centinels, giving orders that Vandeburgh, or any
other person should not speak to him, keeping him confined during their stay, and
freightening or compelling him to ask Pardon, before he was dismissed.
Thirdly. Putting the whole of his family and some Gentlemen belonging to the Continental
Army (during their stay) in bodily fear.
Fourthly. Knocking off sundry respectable People's hats from their heads for no other reason
than because they dare to stand in his presence covered, tho' some came in promiscuously on
hearing so much noise in the house.
Fifthly. Knocking off Jeremiah Clark's hat and kicking him out of his (Armand's) room, an
apartment where he was, for only requesting Colonel Armand to enlarge Colo. Vandeburgh's
son.
The Court do acquit Colonel Armand of the 1st. charge, also of the 3rd. and 4th. charges; but
are of opinion that he is guilty of the first part of the 2nd. charge, also of the 5th. charge, being
a breach of the 1st. Article 9th. Section of the Articles of War. They find him also guilty of the
charge exhibited against him by Jonas Adams, being a breach of the aforesaid Article and do
36
sentence him unanimously to be reprimanded in General Orders.
The Confinement of a Citizen by military authority was irregular and blamable, and there
appears to have been an improper degree of warmth in Colonel Armand's conduct towards
Clarke and Adams. 34
October 3, 1779 A 4th NY Regiment Orderly Book entry (believed to be from Lt.Peter
Elsworth) records the following incident: ...Christian Beagle in Capt Schots Core Charged
with Desertion and takeing with a Sorril Mare and Read Great Cout the property of Capt
Ceuling (Selin) was tryed by the Same Court found Guilty and Sentenced 100 Lashes and put
under Stopages untill he pays Capt. Ceuling what the Mare and Coult where Judged to be
worth at the time he took them... 35
(At this time, part of Sullivans army is marching from Ft. Sullivan (Tioga, Pa.) to Wyoming.)
From early October 1779 to March of 1780 Selin & Schott are garrisoned at Wyoming.
An Orderly Book from the 4th N.Y. Regiment cites: Head Quarters wyoming
Oct. 8th 1779 ... The German Battl and Shotts Core and Cap Spaldings Company is to Remain
as A Garrison at this Post of which Col Butler is to have Command. (Col. Zebulon Butler) 36
On November 17, 1779 the Pennsylvania Gazette contained an article regarding an

event involving Col. Armand which in part reports: Camp at PeekKill, Nov. 8... Last night,
Col. Armand with 100 infantry, and about 30 horse, marched down ... within four miles of
Kingsbridge...took Major Bearmore and five others prisioners... and returned without the loss
of a single man... 37
November 26, 1779 while at Wyoming, Capt. Schott writes the following letter to the
War Council:
Gentlemen,
I am a Hessian Born, by Inclination, as well as duty bound an American I have the
Honour to be a Captn in the Continental Army ever since the 6th day of November 1776. I
had the Misfortune to be taken Prisoner on the 26th of June 1777, in the Battle of Short Hills,
where I sufferd the greatest Cruelty man could Suffer. I was struck, kickd abused and almost
perished for Hunger; At that time I was offerd one thousand pounds and a Majority in the
Enemys New Levies, but I despided their offer, and was determined to suffer death before I
would betray the Cause I was Engaged in, Relying on the Countrys Generosity to Reward me
for my Grievances.
When I was Exchanged I got the Command of that Corps I now Command. I made
frequent applications to the Honourable Board of War, to grant me the Rank of a Major, and
the liberty to Inlist Men and raise the Corps again to its form Strength, by which I thought to
have an opportunity to take satisfaction of the Enemy in an Honourable way, for the Ill usage I
received when a prisoner, which I would have done, or died in the attempt, but was always
refused, having had no opportunity to Distinguish byself I was even left out to the
37
Arrangement of the Line with the rest of the officers in this Corps. I still thought that I was
entitled to the benefit of the provision made by your Honours, for the Officers and Soldiers in
the line, but Sending Captn. Selin to your Honours lately with a Return of the State of the
Corps, you was pleasd to write the following to the Honourable Board of War. That the more
liberal the provision, the more necessary it was, that it should be Distributed with occonomy
and prudence.
That you Honours could not think of Settling the States with the Support of officers who
had but little more than nominal Commands, but at the same time that you was willing to
provide for us on a Scale consisting with the public Service, if therefore the Men could be
Inlisted for the War, and all coud be thrown into one Company and annexed to the line of the
State, that you was then Inclinded to provide for us, and the Supernumerary Officers to be
disposed of as other Cases, or be left to the publick at large. As for my own part I apply to the
Honourable Major General Sullivan, Lt General Hand, Maxwell and others, under whose
Command I had the Honour to serve, that I always had more than Nominal Command but
leaving it Intirely to you Honours Judement to Dispose of the Corps as you think proper, and
a favourable Line from you will for ever Oblige.
Your Honours Most Obedient
and Most Humble Servt.
John P. Schott, Capt.
Garrison, Wyoming, Novr 26th, 1779 38
From Wyoming, Lt. John Jenkins of the Independent Wyoming Company noted in his
journal that on December 19, 1779 Capt. Selin set out for Philadelphia. 39
1780
Troops at Wyoming in 1780 included, ...Capt. Simon Spauldings Independent Company,
being the consolidation of Ransom and Durkee, was stationed at Wilksbarre Fort with Capt.
John Paul Schotts Rifle Corps. and a detachment from the German Regiment under the
command of Capt. Michael, make about 120 men. Militia consisted of one company under the
command of Capt. John Franklin.1
Feb 1780 George Washington merges what is left of Pulaskis, Henry Bedkins and
German Regt. into Armands.
February 6, 1780 Washington writes to Armand... the infantry with Selin is now
necessarily employed on the frontier, and cannot at this time be conveniently relieved; besides
the circumstances under which that corps was formerly separated from yours makes me
unwilling to recommend a reunion.... Selin is not merged with Armand. Congress now
forms Armands Corps into a Legionary Corps. 2 (It appears that there is some problem with
Selin being reunited with Armand. Most likely it was the disagreement in point of rank between Selin
and Armands officers as cited earlier.)
38
February 15, 1780 George Washington writes the Continental Congress War Board and
in the letter he writes: Unfortunately I have but very inaccurate States of these Corps in
general and from this circumstance and the remote and dispersed situation of many of them
much time must be spent in obtaining them. As particular Returns of most of these, so far as
least as respected the States from which the Men came, have been transmitted to your Office in
consequence of the Act of the 15th of March last. I might perhaps derive some assistance from
them and be enabled if I had them to make more early transmissions of the Returns directed
by Congress. I would therefore request that the Board would favor me by the earliest
opportunity with the Returns of this kind, of the German Battallion, Baylors Regiment of
Dragoons, and of Von heers Marachaussie Corps, with any particular States they may have
respecting the terms of the Men's inlistments. The Levies required being connected with and
indeed made dependant in these Returns; The Board I am convinced will feel the propriety of
the earliest attention to this business and will most willingly afford me every aid in their
power with respect to it. If they have a particular State of the late Rawlings Corps of Shot's and
Seley's Companies, and of the Regiments at Fort Pitt, I shall be obliged by their favouring me
with it. 3
March 1780
Return of clothing issued from the magazine at Philadelphia
from 30 August 1779 to March 1780.4
(by order of the Board of War to)
Schotts Indep. Corps
41 new coats
41 new vests
82 Privates shirts
82 Privates shoes
41 hats
41 woolen overalls
82 socks
41 shoe buckles
There is a muster of the corps while at Wyoming dated March 28, 1780 is signed by
Capt.s Schott and Selin and Lt. Conrad Latour.
During 1780 there were petitions to the war department stemming from a dispute
about rank between Selin & Schott.
On March 31, 1780 Secretary Benjamin Stoddert writes to Board of War President Reed,
....with respect to Capt. Schott & Capt. Selin, the board conceives that if Col. Weltner cannot
himself settle the dispute between them, that a board of officers...should determine which is
best intitled to the preference.
On April 4, 1780 Board of War President Reed writes to Col. Weltner ... the Case of
Capt. Schott & Selin; it would not be proper for us to decide a Point of military Promotion... 5
39
On April 9,1780 Lt. Col. Lud. Weltner at wrote to the Board of War from
Northumberland ... I have been informed by letter from Captain Selin stationed at Wyoming
that there were three of the Inhabitants of that place taken prisoners by another party of
Indians and also made their escape, killed two and wounded three of the Indians and brought
in six rifles, one sword and two Tomahawks. They say upon their way up river, they fell in
upon two parties of Indians, one party 25 and the other 8 coming down to fall of the West
Branch. 6
April 27, 1780 George Washington, in a letter to the Board of War, writes: Sir: As the
inclosed representation from Capt. Schott to me implies that some steps have been taken by
the Board respecting the incorporation of his and Capt. Selins Companies, with the German
Battalion, I have not thought proper to give any opinion upon it, until I am informed how far
the representation agrees with the measures which the Board may have adopted upon the
occasion... 7 ( It doesn't appear that this went any further. Washington said he had no opinion on this
matter and nothing in Congress appears concerning it.)
On May 15th 1780 Col. Zebulon Butler writes General Washington from the Wyoming
Settlement:
May it please your Excellency

Your order of the 7th. April came late to hand. I shall wait your excellencys further
Orders. Nothing material has happen since my last, only the men mentioned in my last being
taken at Fishing Creek & came in with the Indian guns,tomahawks & as the first party did,
and actually brought in two Indian Scalps. I have heard of late mischiefs being done on the
West branch of Susq.R and on Delawaer but none in this quarter. I have orders from the board
of war to engage thirty of the militia which I have done for the defense of this frontier. Capt.
Seeling the bearrer will hand this to your Excellency he is a gentleman of the Free Core that is
stationed at this post and has leave of absence to wait on your excellency as he says on
business respecting the Core. He expects to return to this post immediately----
I have the honour to be your
Excellencys Most obt.
Humble servt. Zeb Butler Col. 8
(It appears from reading this that Captain Selin went to see General Washington through a leave of
absence to possibly discuss the situation of his command of the Corps with regard to Captain Schott and
their dispute over rank)
On July 10th, 1780 Captain Schott writes General Washington:

Sir
I am very sorrow to be thus troublesome to your Excellency but the justness of my

cause will excuse my freedom, Capt. Selin refuses to make any muster roles or returns of the
soldiers in his company in the name of the corps under my command. He says that I have no
written orders from your Excellency to command the corps and he wont take no orders from
40
me because he has more men than I have, but the way he took to get those men I have wrote to
your Excellency allretty. (Their recruitments?) may bring on great trouble amongst the soldiers .
I therefore beg your Excellency for a line of directions how to act and you will ever oblige your
Excellencys most obedient and most
Humble Servant
John P. Schott, Capt
Wyoming
July 10th. 1780
N.B. All the news that is here I believe Coll. Butler has wrote to your Excellency.9
Some time in 1780 Captain John Paul Schott married Naomi Sill in the Wyoming settlement:
the occasion being one of great joy in the settlement He also resided there 10
41
1781
Feb 9, 1781 from the Journal of the Continental Congress there is a reference to Selin as
Ordered -- In favor of Capt. Selin- Paymaster to Capt. Paul Schotts Corps. 1
March 15th 1781 We have an excerpt from the Regimental Orders of Hazens
Regiment. (GWP)
Capt. Selins to make the 9th. Company, which is to do duty with the Regiment.
July 18th 1781 Captain Schott Writes General Washington:

To his execellency General Washington
The memorial of Capt. John Paul Schott, most humble servant.

That your memorialist has served these United States ever since Sept. of 1776 as a
Captain and by the last arrangement of the army, your memorialist became supernumerary
that after delivering the noncommissioned officers and soldiers to Col. Hazen, your
memorialist then called at headquarters but your excellency were not at home. He then went
to Philadelphia trying to get a settlement and a little money. But after being six weeks
detained at Philadelphia your memorialist got 150 Marreland States dollars which pay at rate
of 40 for 1 and the ______ money was then 170 for 1 so that that money did not pay your
memeorialists expenses for the time he was petitioning for it. That your memorialist did not
get any other settlement than a sertificate from the author that there is owe to your
memorialist 2024 spania dollars, that your memorialist is now at Wyoming detached of
everything he therefore most humbly begs your excellency will take his care in considering
and send him a recommendation on Congress so that your memorialist may get some money
and a proper settlement for his depredation and __________ and your memorialist is
duty bound shall ever pray.
John P. Schott Capt.
Wyoming July 18th, 1781 2
July 29, 1781 Gen. John Sullivan sends a letter to Washington in behalf of Capt. Selin
with regards to Selins petition for a captaincy in Col. Moses Hazens Regiment. The letter
states: Dear General, I have the honor to recommend to Your Excellencys notice the bearer
Capt. Selin who is Soliciting a Captaincy in Hazens Regiment. As he has Served with me I
take the Liberty of assuring your Excellency that he is truly a Deserving officer and will do
honor to the appointment if conferred upon him. 3
42
1782
In January 1, 1782 Lt. Col. Edward Anthill, then commanding Hazens 2nd Canadian
Regiment reforms the regiment as follows from the Regimental Orders:
It being highly necessary for the Regularity of the Accounts as well as the mustering of
the Regiment that the same be arranged; it will from this day and until further orders, be
formed into eight companies, in the following order, viz:--
1st. Satterlees, Hughess, and Duncans.______Lieut.s Anderson and Bugbee.
2nd. Munsons, McConnels and Pophams.____Lieut.s Dionne and Lee.
3rd. Olivies___Lieut. Mooers and Ens.Gosselin.
4th. Lloyds, late Gilberts and Whites.____Lieut. Torrey.
5th. Prys and late Herons._____Lieut. Cady.
6th. Gosselins 390________Lieut. Teriole and Ens. Boileau.
7th. Lees and Carliles.______Lieut. Stuart.
8th. Selins and Lieberts______Lieut. Gilmant and Ens. McPherson.
The Regiment will do Duty, Parade, and be returned and mustered agreeable to this
arrangement; and all accounts of arms, ammunition, clothing, & etc. to be regularly kept by
the commanding officers of Companies respectively.
/signed/ Edwd. Antill Lt. Col. Commander1
(These orders were to cause a problem which we will read about later. A complaint will be lodged with
General Washington by a Captain Duncan concerning point of rank in Hazens Regiment)
Dec. 9, 1782 in a letter from George Washington to Moses Hazen, he mentions a date of
January 1781 for Selins appointment to command a company in Moses Hazens Regiment
(2nd Canadian ). 2
Dec 26th, 1782

General Moses Hazen writes to General Washington to respond to an earlier letter
written to him by George Washington with reference to a complaint being lodged by Captain
Duncan ( of Hazens 2nd Canadian Regiment) due to a position of rank. Hazen sent this
compilation of Regimental orders of what had transpired in the 2nd Canadian Regiment with
regards to reforming the regiment from March of 1781 to January of 1782:
The Incorporation of the Companies, as by the orders of the 15th. of July last, is
dissolved.
Finding still an inconveniency by the number of small Companies they were again
incorporated by the Recommendation of the Honourable Major Genl. Baron Stuben, by an
order as follows, viz---
43
March 15, 1781.
The Companies are to be embodied and formed agreeable to the Orders of the 15th. of July
1780, with the following alterations only, viz:
Capt. Olivies Company to remain as it is.
Capt. Lieberts and Paulints.
Capt. Hughess to be joined to Satterlees.
Capt.s Munsons, Gilberts and Prys.
Capt.s Carliles, Pophams, and the late McConnels.
Capt.s Lloyds, late Herons and Duncans.
Capt.s Whites and Lees.
Capt. Gosselins to remain by itself.
Capt. Selins to make the 9th. Company, which is to do duty with the Regiment.
Under which Regulation we served the Campaign of 1781.
On the first of January 1782 Lieut. Col. Antill, by my approbation, issued the order now
complained of; herein recited:---
January 1, 1782.
It being highly necessary for the Regularity of the Accounts as well as the mustering of
the Regiment that the same be arranged; it will from this day and until further orders, be
formed into eight companies, in the following order, viz:--
1st. Satterlees, Hughess, and Duncans.______Lieut.s Anderson and Bugbee.
2nd. Munsons, McConnels and Pophams.____Lieut.s Dionne and Lee.
3rd. Olivies___Lieut. Mooers and Ens.Gosselin.
4th. Lloyds, late Gilberts and Whites.____Lieut. Torrey.
5th. Prys and late Herons._____Lieut. Cady.
6th. Gosselins 390________Lieut. Teriole and Ens. Boileau.
7th. Lees and Carliles.______Lieut. Stuart.
8th. Selins and Lieberts______Lieut. Gilmant and Ens. McPherson.
The Regiment will do Duty, Parade, and be returned and mustered agreeable to this
arrangement; and all accounts of arms, ammunition, clothing, & etc. to be regularly kept by
the commanding officers of Companies respectively.
Which Regulation we have since observed to the entire satisfaction of every officer in
the Regiment, except the Complainant Capt. Duncan, and his Patron Major Reid.
It appears by your Excellencys letter that Capt. Duncan has not fairly stated the subject
of his complaint, as he says Captains Gosselin, Selin and Lee are younger officers than
himself; all of whom he perfectly knows will dispute rank with him. Capt. Gosselin was a
Captain in my Regiment before Duncan was in service. Capt. Selin was a Captain in the Army
at a time Duncan was a Lieutenant: They both command their own Companies, chiefly
enlisted by themselves. Gosselin is a Canadian and commands a Canadian company: Selin a
German; his Company is chiefly composed of Germans that do not understand the English
language. The want of the French and German language would render Capt. Duncan unfit to
command either of those companies.3 ( We see here that Hazen referes to Selin as German. We
know he is of Swiss descent, most likely Swiss-French since much of his 1770s personal correspondence
44
is written in French. However being Swiss, German speech would be easily acquired or possibly he was
fluent in French, German and English which was probably the case. His ability to speak in different
languages was possibly why he so successfully recruited his original Company so quickly in 1777 and
no doubt helped him throughout his military career seeing that his commands almost always had a good
portion of German and French soldiers.)
1783
March 3, 1783 George Washingtons General Orders state; ....German recruits now
under orders of Capt. Selin to be attached to the 2d and 3d Regt. of Artillery of General Knox.
1
1784
February 24, 1784.
The Committee, consisting of Mr. Hugh Williamson, Mr. James Monroe and Mr.
David Howell, to whom was referred a memorial of Major Anthony Selin who represented
that he is a foreign officer and prays for such assistance as has been afforded to other foreign
officers submit the following resolve
That the instruction of the 22nd. Jany. last to the Superintendant of Finance in favour of
certain foreign officers be considered by him as extending and it is hereby extended to all
foreigners Creditors of the United States who have lately been officers in the armies of the U.
S. having commissions in the service of any foreign prince: Major Anthony Selin late of
General Hazen's regiment.
On motion of Mr. [John] Beatty, seconded by Mr. [Jacob] Read,
Resolved, That the instruction of the 22 of January last, to the Superintendant of finance, in
favour of certain foreign officers, be considered by him as extending, and it is hereby extended
to Major Anthony Selin, late of General Hazen's regiment. 1
45
Antoni Selins Military Time Line
Based on our research, Antoni Selins Service in American Revolutionary War may be
broken down to the following:
December 1776 Commissioned as an Officer in the American Army
Winter to early Spring 1777 Recruits Company #2 of Ottendorffs Corps which he

will command.
April 1777 Arrives with his Company in Bound Brook, NJ. There they will stay until
the early Summer of 1777 after the Battle of Short Hills. Charles Armand is now in charge of
the Late Ottendorffs Corps ( Ottendorff has deserted). John Paul Schott, Commander of
Company #3 of this Corps, has been taken Prisoner. Charles Armand begins recruiting for
what is to be his new Partisan Corps with the base being what is now left of the Late
Ottendorffs Corps. It appears that Antoni Selin along with some of the other original officers
maintain the base Corps during Armands absences.
Fall of 1777 It appears Antoni Selin maintains this command of the Old Corps now
that Captain Bauer retires, Captain Dreisback is Court Martialed and removed from
command. Captain Schott is a prisoner and Henry Bedkin leaves the Corps for another
command. This Corps in now recognized as Armands Corps. Armands early recruiting
seems to be directed toward Cavalry. Selin appears to maintain the foot possibly along with
some newly recruited officers. He serves in the Philadelphia Campaigns, Brandywine,
Germantown et al, with Armand as his superior.
Winter 1777 to Spring 1778 Winters at Valley forge with the Corps.
June of 1778 Battle of Monmouth.
August 1778 Appears to be in command of Armands Corps of Foot in his absence.
Fall of 1778 Is reunited with Captain Schott ( who holds an earlier commission) and
forms the joint Command often referred to Schotts Corps. This Independent Corps is
removed from Armandss Corps because of disputes of Rank. However they still work in close
proximity.
Winter of 1778 Selin commands one of the outposts on the New York frontier of the
Minisinks. Schotts commands another nearby.
Spring of 1779 Captain Selin commands Schotts Independent Corps and marches
them to Wyoming, PA while Captain Schott goes to Philadelphia for supplies. They are
assembling for the Sullivan-Clinton Campaign.
June 1779 Captain Selin commands the Different Corps which are assembled in
Wyoming, to bring up river, boats and supplies to Wyoming in preparation for the campaign.
August - September 1779 Appears to command Schotts Corps ( in Schotts absence) as
Selins Independent Rifle Company together with a Corps of Pioneers clearing the path for
Sullivans march.
Late Fall 1779- Spring 1780 Selin now back in the Wyoming settlement with Schott
protecting this frontier area. The Corps appears to be split and working separetly most likey
because of a dispute in rank between Selin and Schott.
46
January of 1781 Commands a Company in General Hazens 2nd Canadian Regiment.
He holds this position until the end of hostilities. He retires with the rank of Major.
Epilogue
The following contains some of our opinions and findings based on material contained
in this manuscript and the associated reference materials cited.
Throughout the war, George Washington appears to be somewhat well acquainted with Captain
Schott possibly because when he was commissioned in September 1776 he reported directly to him
before starting to raise a company. A report from the Board of War read in the Continental Congress on
September 6th 1776 stated that he should report directly to General Washington to serve his immediate
needs. This also can be because Schott wrote to Washington quite often concerning his problems, needs
not to mention his memorials.
On the other hand George Washington does not seem to have been as familiar with Captain
Selin. Selin very rarely wrote Washington and when he did it wasn't about problems, wants or needs. It
does appear that Antoni Selin may have been friends with Nicholas Ottendorf because it appears that
both of them were directly involved in raising the original Ottendorf's Corps in late winter and spring
of 1777 and petitioning Congress for money for this cause, the money being charged to Ottendorfs
account.
Captain Antoni Selin: It is almost without doubt that Captain Selin's Company was the first
part of Ottendorf's Corps to arrive in Bound Brook, NJ in April of 1777 since the other companies
including Ottendorf's own, were still recruiting and trying to fill their quotas. It appears that Schott's
Company may have been in Lancaster, PA at this time.
It is our opinion that after the Battle of Short Hills, NJ, June 1777, Captain Selins Company or
Corps consisted of his original company, a part of Ottendorfs own Company and what was left of
Schotts & Bauers. When Schott was released in the fall of 78 he thought he would get his old
command back but found it was held by Selin. Possibly due to his commission date which was three
months earlier than Selins, seniority won out and he got full command of the Company that Selin had,
which of course had many of Schotts original men. In September of 1778, Armand wanted them
attached to his New Corps most likely because he still didnt fill his quota of men from his recruiting
in the New England area. Schott, (as well as, we believe, Selin) did not want to serve under Armand
again because of being overlooked in rank in favor of officers Armand recruited himself. Also a dispute of
rank, no doubt, was brewing between Selin and Schott during the fall of 1778 thru spring 1781 at
which time Selin and his men finally joined Hazens Regiment.
Nicholas De Ottendorf: He has posed the most unanswered questions for us. The complicated
nature of his Corps arrangement for one is still very hard to understand. Initially Congress requested
him to form a Corps of 3 Independent Companies consisting of his own 60 man Company and two
47
additional Companies of 45 privates each but there is documentation to suggest that upwards of 5
companies were involved by June of 1777. Ottendorfs own Company, a Company #1 Commanded by
Captain Dreisback, a Company #2 Commanded by Captain Selin, a Company #3 Commanded by
Captain Schott and a Company # 4 Commanded by Captain Bauer. Ottendorf would be Major of the
collected body of Companies but he would act as Captain of his own Company. Complicated indeed
especially when it appears that the individual companies were fielded as they completed their
recruitment being deployed independently of the main Corps as the term suggest. (This, then could
explain the actions of John Paul Schott early in 1777 when it appears he had no affiliation with the
Corps.)
What happened to Ottendorf to make Washington so angry? We have found at least three
instances in the Journals of the Continental Congress between Dec. 1776 and May of 1777 that
Congress resolves to give Ottendorf money to raise troops for his corps, plus once more for Selin to
raise troops for Ottendorfs Corps (See Feb. 14, 1777 entry). The last mention of him in Congress on
May 10th, 1777 is such: Resolved , That there should be advanced to Major Ottendorf, for the
use of his corps, the sum of 500 dollars; he to be accountable: We do not hear from Ottendorf
again until Heath writes Washington in 1778 that Ottendorf was sorry for leaving and wants to return
to the Army. His borrowing money from Congress along with him leaving his command without notice
obviously makes a good case for Washingtons position in regards to Ottendorf.
There is a letter in the Clinton Collection from 1781 that could implicate Ottendorf as a spy for
the British. We have read this letter but are not sure of what to make of it. Supposedly Ottendorf joined
the British near the end of the war but we have not found much documentation as of yet in reference to
this.
Charles Armand: It is interesting to note that Charles Armand may have had some resentment
for having to take the command of Ottendorf's Corps when Ottendorf disappears from the scene instead
of being able to recruit a New Corps of his own from the start. This is most notable when after the Battle
of Short Hills, NJ in June of 1777 he seems to leave his command from time to time to try to recruit ( a
new corps!) men of his choosing.
It appears that Captain Selin and possibly the remaining Captains ( Dreisback -(Friesback)
Bedkin and Bauer) maintains this original Corps of 1777 which has been shattered after the actions of
Short Hills during the times that Armand is away. By the Fall of 1777 it appears that this is solely in
Captain Selin's hands and remains this way until the Fall of 1778 when Captain Schott returns from
being a prisoner and Col. Armand fulfills his recruitment of what will be his new Corps.
Captain John Paul Schott: After researching the records we have doubts and cannot say with
certainty that John Paul Schott was in Ottendorfs Corps prior to May 1777 even though older research
papers would have us believe this. We found reference to John Paul Schott (no mention of rank or
command) on Sept. 5, 1776 in the journals of The Continental Congress as having his petition read.)
(This petition from John Paul Schott, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, VII, folio 15)
It appears that even though Schott's original Independent Company was to be attached to
Ottendorf's Corps in the Spring of 1777 they were acting independently as to getting supplies and
being garrisoned. Actually it seems like this may have been the case with Selin's Company as well since
they appear to be fully recruited and on their way to the field by April 4 1777 However Selin's
Company appears to maintain it's affiliation with the parent corps of Ottendorf (possibly because of
their friendship?) whereas this doesn't appear to be the same from Schott. Possibly because he holds the
48
earliest commission of everyone involved and wants to maintain his independent status.
On May 3, 1777 in congress there is mention of Captain John Paul Shotts Independent
Company and conversely on this same date Congress mentions Captain Selim's company, of
Major Ottendorf's Corps. From this we dont think they are affiliated yet.
On the other hand if we take into account the General Orders of George Washington of April 4,
1777 and Schotts letter to George Washington March 24, 1777, it could be possible that the Companies
were so independent that they had no affiliations with each other, except for the auspices of falling
under the collective Corps de Ottendorf as they seem to be split and sent where ever they were needed
and acted as separate small units at some points.
An interesting item of speculation arises from the possibility that Captain Schott left
Sullivans Expedition early on into the march. We read that he was given permission to ride. Was
this due to ill health or injury (or did he need an excuse to come back to the Wyoming settlement due to
his fondness for a young lady, Naomi Sill, who would, the following year, become his bride?)
1999-2005 J.W.Filipski & Steve Collward

Footnotes:
1776:
1.) Journals of the Continental Congress, Friday, Sept. 6,, 1776, pg. 740.
2.) Ibid., Friday, November 8, 9, 1776.
3.) Ibid., Thurday, December 5, 1776.
4.) Ibid., Tuesday, December 10, 1776, pp. 1021, 1022.
1777:
1.) Letters of George Washington, Washington to Capt. Schott, January 31, 1777
John C. Fitzpatrick's Writings of George Washington, University of Va., GW to Capt. John Paul Schott,
January 31, 1777. From a photostat of the original, furnished by Mr. Hubert M. Schott, of Morristown,
N.J.,
2.) Journals of The Continental Congress February 14, 1777; 500 dollars be advanced to
Antonie Selin toward raising Major Ottendorffs Corps and charged to Ottendorffs account.
3.) Letters of George Washington, George Washingtons General Orders April, 4 1777
Detachment under the command of Selin to hold themselves in readiness to march/ will
receive orders from General St. Clair
4.) The Letters of George Washington, Schott to Washington, March 23, 1777 that I apply for
money arms and plankits
5.) The Letters of George Washington, Washington to Armand, May 19, 1777
49
6.) Letters of George Washington, Washington to Armand June 11, 1777
to take command of Ottendorffs corps and complete the Corps to full Regiment and you will
be under the immediate command of General Lincoln
Short Hills Footnotes

1: Tallmadge, Benjamin. Memoir, p.26
2: New Jersey Archives 2nd. Ser. 1777, p.415
3: Ibid
4: Meunchausen, "Journal" at General Howe's Side p.19
5: Montresor, Capt. John, Journal, Collections of the New York Historical Society, 1881
6: Meunchausen, p.19
7: Letter of Lewis Willis to Charles Yates, 10 July 1777
8: Armand to Washington, 1781, Letters, NYHS Collection, Ser. VII, p. 365
9: Ewing, George. Diary, p. 17-19
10: Grant, William. Narrative, NY col. manuscripts p.732
11: Andr, John. Journal, p.42-8
12: Buttner, Johann Carl. Narrative, Princeton Univ. Library. Rare book section 1839. p.44
13: Creswell, Journal. p. 129
1778:
1.) Report to the Board of War May 17, 1778
2.) Varrick Transcripts, George Washingtons Letters Image in the archives
3.) Letters of Col. Armand Armand to Washington, Nov. 9, 1778, Collections of the New York
Historical Society, 1878, pp. 303-304
4.) Ibid., Armand to Washington, Nov. 17, 1778, pp. 305-306
5.) The Letters of George Washington, (To Edward Hand, Nov. 20, 1778)
6.) The Letters of George Washington, (To Count Casimir Pulaski, Nov. 24, 1778)
7.) Letter from Antoni Selin to Edward Hand, Dec. 25, 1778 (From the Pennsylvania State
Archives, MG-66, Harrisburg, Pa.)
1779:
1.) Adj. Generals Office (Nat. Archives) Jacket 87 Pa. (Located in the A.H.Wright Papers,
Cornell University-Ithaca, NY)
2.) The Letters of George Washington

50
3.) The Letters of George Washington, Washington to Hand, February, 7, 1779
4.) The Letters of George Washington, Washington to Count Pulaski, February 8, 1779
5.) Adj. Generals Office (Nat. Archives) Jacket 87 Pa. (Located in the A.H. Wright Papers, Carl
A. Kroch Library, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY)
6.) Letter from Antoni Selin to Edward Hand, March 9, 1779 (From the Pennsylvania State
Archives, MG-66, Harrisburg, Pa.
7.) Letter from John P. Schott to Edward Hand, March 12, 1779 (From the Pennsylvania State
Archives, MG-66, Harrisburg, Pa.
8.) Letter from Antoni Selin to Edward Hand, March 14, 1779. (From the Darlington Library,
University of Pittsburg, Pittsburg, Pa.)
9.) The Letters of George Washington, Edward Hand to Washington, March 20, 1779
11.) The Letters of George Washington, Washington to Gen. Edward Hand, March 24, 1779.
12.) From the National Archives M247, R192, I173, V1, Pg. 301
13.) Pa. Historical Association Vol. 61, No. 1, 1/94

14.) The Letters of George Washington, Washington to Edward Hand, April 1, 1779
15.) The Letters of George Washington, Washington toe Zebulon Butler, April 1, 1779
16.) The Letters of George Washington, Washington to Edward Hand, April 4, 1779
17.) The Letters of George Washington, Washington to The Board of War, April 4, 1779
18.) Varrick Transcripts: Letters of George Washington, Washington to Schott April 4, 1779 -
Image in the archives- Schott sent to Philadelphia to procure arms And also Washington to
General Hand April 4, 1779 In this letter states that Selin marches Schotts Company to
Wyoming.
19.) The A.H. Wright Papers, Carl A. Kroch Library, Cornell University, Ithatca, NY
20.) The Letters of George Washington, Edward Hand to Washington, May 12, 1779
21.) The Letters of George Washington, Washington to Edward Hand, May 31, 1779
51
23.) Miscellaneous Numberd Records ( the Manuscript file) in the War Department Collection
of Revolutionary War Records 1775-1790, Record group 93, Natiional Archives Microfilm
Publication M859,Reel 75, ItemNo. 22023
24.) National Archives M853, r4, V27
25.) National Archives Muster Rolls, Reel 84, Pennsylvanis Miscellaneous Units
26.) The Letters of George Washington, Washington to Charles Armand -Tuffin...,

June 28, 1779
27.) The Letters of George Washington, Washington to Charles Armand -Tuffin...,

July 5, 1779
28.) The Letters of George Washington, Edward Hand to Washington, July 13, 1779
29.) Journals of the Military Expedition Of Maj. General John Sullivan 1779, Auburn, NY, 1887,
(Journal of Rev. William Rogers, D.D., page 255)
30.) The Letters of George Washington, West Point Aug 14, 1779
31.) Journals of the Military Expedition of Maj.General John Sullivan 1779, pg. 264
32.) Early American Orderly Books, 1748-1817, Collections of the New York Historical Society
(Microfilm Edition) [Woodbridge, 1977]]Order book, Pennsylvania and New York, July 27,
1779-September 28, 1779, reel 9, Item 93.
33.) Order Book of Lieut. Col. Francis Barber, Notes form Collections of Tioga Point Museum
on the Sullivan Expedition of 1779... , Louise Welles Murray, Ed., Athens, Pa.
(1929/1975) Tioga Point Museum, pp. 79, 83, 87.
34.) The Letters of George Washington, General Orders Aug 31, 1779
35.) Orderly Books of the Fourth New York Regiment..., Almon Lauber, Ed. (Albany:
University of the State of New York, 1932, pg. 87
36.) Orderly Books of the Fourth New York Regiment..., Almon Lauber, Ed., (Albany:
University of the State of New York, 1932) p.89.
37.) The Pennsylvania Gazette, November 17, 1779 (item #64914)
52
38.) Pennsylvania Archives, I Series: 8, pp.24,25
39.) Journals of the Military Expedition of Maj. General John Sullivan 1779, Auburn, NY, 1887,
(Journal of Lt. John Jenkins, page 177)
1780:
1.) Charles Miner, History of Wyoming, 1845, pg. 83
2) The Letters of George Washington, Washington to Armand Feb. 6, 1780 the infantry
commanded by Selin is on the frontier and can not be easily relieved. Do not recommend a
reunion due to the past circumstances
Also see Letters of George Washington, General Orders Feb 6, 1780 Congress has formed
Armands Corps into a Legionary Corps
3.) The Letters of George Washington; GW to War Board, Morristown Feb 15, 1780
4.) Miscellaneous Numberd Records ( the Manuscript file) in the War Department Collection
of Revolutionary War Records 1775-1790, Reel 94, entry 27411
5) Pennsylvania Archives, 1780, pp. 153, 162.
6.) Ibid., pg. 171.
7.) The Letters of George Washington, Washington to the Board of War April 27, 1780
8.) The Letters of George Washington. Zebulon Butler to Genl. Washington May 15 1780
9.) The Letters of George Washington, Captain Schott to Genl Washington July 10 1780
10.) Vols 6-8 of the Wyoming Historical Record pp. 73
1781:
1.) Journals of the Continental Congress, Feb. 9, 1781 (No. 78, XXI, folio 5)
2.) Letters of George Washington, Captain Schott to General Washington July 18th 1781
3.) Letters and Papers of Major-General John Sullivan, vol. 3, pg. 338.
53
1782:
1.) The Letters of George Washington, Lt. Col. Edward Antill January 1,1782-Regimental
Orders ( Hazens Regt.)
2.) The Letters of George Washington, Washington to Moses Hazen, Dec. 9, 1782
3.) Leters of George Washington, Moses Hazen to General Washington Dec. 26th 1782
1783:
1.) The Letters of George Washington, General Orders, March 3, 1783
1784:
1.) Journals of Continental Congress 1774-1789
Revision 3-31-05
54

Captain Antoni Selin and His Association With The Independent Corps of Captain John Paul Schott, Major Nicholas de Ottendorf and Col. Charles Armand

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Captain Antoni Selin and His Association With The Independent Corps of Captain John Paul Schott, Major Nicholas de Ottendorf and Col. Charles Armand

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A Chronology of the

Appointments & Commands

A compilation of information with annotations and

Red text signifies links to associated footnotes and references.

Original Fitzpatrick notation appears in blue within the main text.

Common Abbreviations used:

To address any comments to the authors, they may be reached by e-mail

November 8, 1776 Ottendorf is appointed.

On December 5th, 1776 Congress Resolves Ottendorf to form the Independent

The DELEGATES of the UNITED STATES of New-Hamphire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode-

This Commission to continue in Force until revoked by this or future Congress.

Dated at Philadelphia December 10th, 1776

John Hancock, President

Attest. Chas. Thomson, Secy.

By the Spring of 1777 the Companies are complete.

April 4, 1777 From George Washingtons General Orders: The detachments,

On May 10, 1777 In the Continental Congress we find;

June 11th 1777 Armand is ordered to take command of Ottendorffs Corps.

The Fight for the American Cannon

The Americans' Retreat

From the Pennsylvania Archives we find the following;

August 20, 1777 , George Washingtons General Orders

Sir: I have your two favours of this date.

March 27, 1778

* One Colonel * 24 Sergeants

May 28, 1778

*ARRANGEMENT OF ARMY AND ROUTE OF

Every days March to begin at four o'clock in the Morning at farthest.

Head Quarters, Brunswick, July 3, 1778.

August 31, 1778

On November 9th 1778 Washington receives a letter from Armand in which he is

November 16, 1778

November 16, 1778

Sir: Colonel Gist handed me your letter of the 16th. Inst.

December 16, 1778

On February 8, 1779, Washington writes to Count Pulaski, whose corps is in Minisink

March 30, 1779

Capt. J.P. Shotts Corps

Cap. J.P. Shott Regt. No. of officers and privates 51

May 17 Capt. Schotts Corps May 20 Capt. Schotts Corps

May 23 Capt. Schotts Corps May 26 Capt. Schotts Corps

Capt. Schotts Corps

Total of the whole Detachment

German Regiment Col. Smiths Regiment

Col. Armands Corps Capt. Schotts Corps

Capt. Spaldings Co.

On November 17, 1779 the Pennsylvania Gazette contained an article regarding an

May it please your Excellency

On July 10th, 1780 Captain Schott writes General Washington:

I am very sorrow to be thus troublesome to your Excellency but the justness of my

July 18th 1781 Captain Schott Writes General Washington:

The memorial of Capt. John Paul Schott, most humble servant.

Wyoming July 18th, 1781 2

Dec 26th, 1782

December 1776 Commissioned as an Officer in the American Army

Winter to early Spring 1777 Recruits Company #2 of Ottendorffs Corps which he

1999-2005 J.W.Filipski & Steve Collward

2.) Ibid., Friday, November 8, 9, 1776.

3.) Ibid., Thurday, December 5, 1776.

4.) Ibid., Tuesday, December 10, 1776, pp. 1021, 1022.

Short Hills Footnotes

1.) Report to the Board of War May 17, 1778

2.) Varrick Transcripts, George Washingtons Letters Image in the archives